Health Protection Agency HPA has implemented restrictive measures in Kaafu Atoll Huraa and Lhaviyani Atoll Naifaru in an attempt to control the ongoing outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the islands.
In two separate announcements signed the Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Abubakar HPA said that the following measures would be implemented on the islands for a duration of 7 days.
- Banning residents from going out into public unless for medical purposes and essential needs
- Banning public gatherings of more than 3 people
- Banning house visits within the islands
- Banning parties, ceremonies, and functions
- Closing down dine-services at cafes, restaurants, and other eateries. HPA said such establishments can provide delivery services
- Closing down saloons and gyms
- Stopping all sports activities and exercise-related activties
- Taxi centers must follow HPA guidelines when offering their services (this measure is only implemented in Naifaru)
- Shops, banks, and other public service providers must follow HPA guidelines
- Stopping physical class for all schools, colleges, and universities
HPA also said that members of the security services, healthcare professionals, ambulance services, holders of COVID Taskforce pass, and emergency medical service providers are exempted from the curfews currently placed in the islands.
The Agency said that there are 110 active cases of COVID-19 in Huraa and that this includes 2 under furabandhu quarantine, 75 contacts of other positive cases, 6 departure positive cases, and 27 random positive cases.
The situation in Naifaru also remains more or less the same with 99 active cases of COVID-19 on the island right now. This includes 1 person under furabandhu quarantine, 70 contacts of previous COVID cases, 1 person from the flu clinic, and 27 random positive cases.
Both the islands are currently under HPA monitoring along with 13 other islands with COVID-19 cases.
