The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has reviewed the quarantine period for vaccinated individuals.
In a press conference held by the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC), the center's Spokesperson Dr. Fathmath Nazla Rafeeq said the quarantine period for positive cases and direct contacts had been reviewed.
In this regard, vaccinated individuals who test positive will need to be in quarantine for ten days from the date of sample collection if no symptoms of illness are exhibited.
As for fully vaccinated individuals who are direct contacts, they can either undergo a ten-day quarantine and end quarantine without testing after the period ends if no symptoms are exhibited, or complete a five-day quarantine and undergo a test. They can end quarantine when a negative PCR test result is received.
However, those in quarantine with a person who has tested positive will need to stay in quarantine for the duration of the positive patient's isolation. Unvaccinated individuals who test positive must remain in quarantine for 14 days and obtain a negative PCR result at the end of the quarantine period.
While the new school term is set to begin next week, Dr. Nazla said special measures are being taken to minimize the spread of the virus.
In this regard, students and school staff who traveled abroad during the holidays can attend school only after a PCR test taken three to five days upon their arrival confirms that they are negative for COVID-19. The same guideline applies to those who traveled to islands under HPA's monitoring status.
As COVID-19's new variant, Omicron cases, have been identified in the Maldives, authorities are strengthening measures to minimize its spread. While the Greater Male' Area's positivity rate has surpassed 5 percent, a negative PCR test is now required to travel to the atolls. Those who have not completed their vaccination will need to complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival at their destination.
