The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said all vaccine centres administering the AstraZeneca vaccine in the Greater Male' Area are now open for walk-in vaccination.
Vaccines were administered on an appointment basis until now.
In an announcement made on Sunday, HPA said although the vaccine centres are now open for walk-in vaccination, those with pre-booked appointments will be given priority.
The decision to cater to walk-in vaccinations come under the government's efforts to vaccinate 90 per cent of the population. Although vaccine centres have the capacity to administer over 5,000 shots in a single day, the number of people who attend the centres to receive the shot is lesser.
HPA has allowed imposing restrictions on those who have not completed the COVID-19 vaccine. A directive issued by the Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru said all who are eligible to receive the shots are instructed to get vaccinated. In order to encourage those who remain unvaccinated to get their shots, restrictions will be applicable to those who remain unvaccinated from September 1. In this regard, such individuals may be barred from receiving some services, like entering cafes and restaurants, gyms, and cinemas. Public transport and domestic travel may also be restricted.
