The government has yet again extended the State of Public Health Emergency for an additional month amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the 14th time the government has extended the State of Public Health Emergency in the country which was initially declared back in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

In a declaration issued by the Health Ministry, the government extended the State of Public Health Emergency period till 4th May 2021.

Health Minister Ahmed Naseem signed the declaration today.

The extension was ordered by the powers vested to the Health Minister under Section 33 of the Public Health Protection Act.

The declaration said that the state of public health emergency was extended to further quell the spread of the virus and safeguard the health of the general public.

It also said that the Director-General of Public Health had also advised the Minister to extend the public health emergency period given the current situation of the pandemic in the Maldives.

This extension, which has now become a monthly routine, came as Health Protection Agency HPA had given considerable eases on the measures taken to deter the pandemic.

Last week, HPA had lifted the curfew it had placed in the Greater Male' Area and allowed unhindered movement within the area but banned the gathering of more than 5 people out in the public.