President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the government aims to inoculate 90% of the population against COVID-19 by the end of August. He made the statement in his public address to the nation at the ceremony to mark the 56th anniversary of Maldives independence.
In his speech, President Solih highlighted the efforts of the government in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The president said preparations are being undertaken by his administration to initiate a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination programme which aims to inoculate 90% of the eligible population residing in the Maldives by the end of August. He said the programme will continue until each and every resident completes their vaccine doses. He urged the public to make use of this opportunity to get vaccinated, since the Maldives has enough vaccine in stock for the unvaccinated population to receive both doses.
The president further reflected on the one-and-a-half years since the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the country must embrace a new normal by adopting preventive measures and focusing on rebuilding the economy. He affirmed the government would continue to invest in developmental projects linked to the basic needs of the people regardless of the hardships caused by the pandemic.
In his speech, President Solih expressed his gratitude for the health workers who continue to work to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, and also thanked officers of the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for their service.