Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has instructed all airports in the Maldives to conduct a thorough check on the PCR test results and vaccination records of all travellers.
Speaking at a press conference held regarding the measures imposed against the spread of the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, Spokesperson of HEOC Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq said the Maldives is imposing measures against the spread of the new variant based on the risk of transmission of the new variant as well as the measures imposed by other countries. She noted entry restrictions have been placed on 7 countries including South Africa, where the spread of the new variant has been reported. She added while this does not ensure that the new variant will not enter the Maldives, it is a temporary measure put in place to control the spread.
Further, the spokesperson revealed all airports have been instructed to check the PCR tests and vaccination records of all travellers using the airports. She added gene sequencing is underway to detect the presence of the new variant in the country, while efforts are also ongoing to identify the rate of transmission and the severity of the disease caused by the new variant and the effect of vaccines on the variant.
Dr. Nazla urged all who have not been fully vaccinated yet to complete two doses of the vaccine as soon as possible. She also urged those eligible for booster shots of the vaccine to get their third shots as an added safety measure.