The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said the Maldives had registered 74 cases of Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant.
Speaking at a press conference held by HPA on Sunday, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal said 3,696 samples had been sent abroad to test for the Omicron variant. Out of these, 74 samples came back positive for Omicron, he said.
According to Dr. Afzal, the most recent batch of samples was sent abroad on January 11. He said that out of the 100 samples sent, 50 were positive for Omicron.
As a precautionary measure against the Omicron variant discovered in South Africa, the Maldives has restricted entry for travelers from seven countries: South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini. Those who have traveled to these countries within 14 days prior to arriving in the Maldives and those who have transited in these countries for over 12 hours are also banned from entering the Maldives. However, this does not include Maldivian nationals and work permit holders. Maldivian nationals and work permit holders must complete a 14-day quarantine upon arrival and will be released after a PCR test confirms they are negative for the virus when quarantine is completed.
