President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday evening announced his decision to lift the state of public health emergency in force since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. After consulting with public health experts, the President made the announcement in a televised address to the nation, lifting the state of public health emergency declared two years ago on March 12, 2020.
Following the lifting of the public health emergency, President Solih said the Ministry of Health would announce the way forward, including measures to monitor and keep the spread of the coronavirus in check. The ministry would also draw up and implement a national strategy and action plan as part of its Covid-19 response.
With this, Maldives has eased restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including allowing all inbound travelers, regardless of vaccination status, to enter the country without requiring proof of a negative PCR test.
Masks have also been made no longer mandatory. Though not mandatory, masks are recommended for people who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, when in crowded places, when attending indoor events, on buses, ferries and taxis, and for high-risk individuals and people who live with high-risk individuals when in public locations.
