National Emergency Operations Centre (CEOC) has urged not to avoid taking precautionary measures even if lockdown measures will be relaxed significantly from June 15 onwards.
Speaking at the daily news brief held by the Centre, Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s epidemiologist Dr Nazla Rafeeq on Sunday said even if measures are relieved, the public must not revert back to old habits. She requested the public to continue to stay at home unless it is necessary to go out, and warned against visiting others.
Dr Nazla said although the number of positive cases of COVID-19 have declined significantly, Male' city still remains on red alert. The doctor said the precautionary safety measures should be maintained despite the positive changes to avoid a surge in the spread of the pandemic. She urged to wear masks and practice social distancing while being out and about.
’Consider the relieving of lockdown measures as an opportunity provided for learning new things. I urge you to make use of this opportunity positively. In that sense, enter the shops one-by-one, do not attend large gatherings, and wash hands every time after returning home. This is something we have to make it as a permanent habit in the days ahead”, said Dr Nazla.
Dr Nazla said HPA is collecting samples to determine if the recent reliefs granted to some lockdown measures have contributed to an increase in the number of positive cases. While the samples are being collected from five categories: frontline workers, those working at the response centres, people above 65-years-old, those residing at congested venues, and people between the ages of 20 to 30, the doctor urged public cooperation in collecting samples and reminded the public to carry identification while outside.
Residents of Male' will be allowed to go out without a special permit between 0500hrs to 2200hrs from Monday onwards. Outdoor exercising is allowed between 1800 to 2100hrs, and children can be outside between 1600 to 1800hrs. The time allocated for the elderly is between 0500 to 0800hrs.
Parks, recreational areas and office will also be reopened from Monday onwards. The shops will be opened from 0900 to 2100, while cafes and restaurants can only provide delivery services until 2100 hrs. Dine-in services are to remain banned until July. Gatherings of more than three people is also prohibited.
NEOC announced that the schools, universities, tourism sector and congregational prayers in mosques will be resumed in July. Gyms and salons will be reopened as well in July.
The capital Male’ region was placed on lockdown on April 15 after the first case of local transmission of COVID-19 was detected in the city. Following the positive developments, some measures were relieved two weeks ago. It included allowing more people allowed per household to go out for shopping and increasing shopping hours from one hour to three hours.
Dr Nazla Rafeeq
