Shaviyani Atoll Foakaidhoo Council says those who visit individuals under home quarantine on the island will face a fine and that they themselves would be quarantined too.
Speaking to ‘The Press’, Foakaidhoo Council President Mohamed Rasheed said these measures were implemented after having discussions with the island’s COVID-19 taskforce. He said the measures were taken after it was noted that islanders were casually visiting individuals under home quarantine after traveling to the Male’ area where the pandemic is rampant.
He said this left the authorities no choice and that if islanders continue to visit individuals under home quarantine, they must face the punishment.
Five residences in Foakaidhoo are currently hosting individuals under home quarantine. In a social media post, the island’s Health Center voiced concern that many were casually visiting these houses and were even taking children on their visits. The Health Center implored that these were dangerous actions and those caught disobeying Health Protection Agency HPA guidelines would be fined and quarantined too.
Although the island has not yet reported a COVID-19 case, the latest update from the HPA shows that revealed that 35 islands are hosting active cases of COVID-19 at moment and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Hoadehdhoo and Madaveli are currently under monitoring with a community outbreak now confirmed in the former.
HPA added that 22 resorts are also hosting active cases of COVID-19 including 18 tourists and 47 staff.
The COVID-19 pandemic has claimed 29 lives in the Maldives including 23 locals and 6 foreigners. Most of the locals who have succumbed to the illness include elderly patients with underlying health issues.
