Health Protection Agency (HPA) has banned serving meals or refreshments during ceremonies.
The amended guideline of HPA, which permits holding special events and ceremonies, came into effect on December 20. As per the amended guideline, refreshments or meals cannot be served in ceremonies held under the special circumstances of COVID-19.
HPA recommends any meals or refreshments provided during weddings or birthday parties to be served individually, rather than in a buffet. If a buffet is served, a person must be allocated to put items on the plate.
Furthermore, HPA has instructed to maintain a distance of 3 feet between people during weddings and birthday parties. All attendees are required to cover their nose and mouth with a face mask, even when taking photos.
HPA has also instructed prize or awarding ceremonies to be held without requiring awardees to shake hands with others. HPA instructs participants of such ceremonies to sanitise their hands after handling certificates or other items. The agency has also prohibited people with COVID-19 symptoms to take part in ceremonies.
As per the amended guidelines, individuals travelling from Male’ to other islands to attend ceremonies or events must seek a permit from HPA or Maldives Police Service (MPS). Further, individuals travelling from islands with guesthouse operations to islands with no guesthouse operations are required to seek a permit from the council of the island they are travelling to. Meanwhile, Individuals travelling from islands without guesthouse operations to islands with guesthouse operations are required to seek a permit from the council of the island they are travelling from.
HPA has been easing some of the restrictions placed in the Maldives due to COVID-19, following the decrease in the number of cases. However, HPA has strongly urged the public to adhere to the HPA guidelines in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.