MPs slam government policy of quarantining locals

Some MPs of the parliament have called on the government to make arrangements so that people can be quarantined in their residential islands. 

This includes people who had traveled to Male’ for different purposes and were left stranded due to the lockdown measures imposed on the capital due to COVID-19. MPs proposed to quarantine these individuals in their own islands rather than government-designated facilities in Male’ City area.

Tourism Minister Ali Waheed has previously stated that 5000 people had requested to be transported to their islands. Quarantine facilities for these individuals were arranged near the Male’ City area. 

 The move was criticized by some MPs in today’s parliamentary session. Even Speaker Mohamed Nasheed also agreed to the point of quarantining these individuals in their residential islands. 

“Just as the honorable MPs have noted, I cannot comprehend why the policy cannot be transformed to allow the establishment of quarantine facilities in islands, place those traveling to these islands in these facilities who can afterward move to their homes and be with their families.” Said Nasheed.

Milandhoo MP Ali Rizaa, speaking in the session said that the quarantine of an individual for MVR 700 per day was an expensive option for the government. The figure could be reduced by a lot if the islanders were quarantined in their own islands.

Around 142 individuals from Kulhudhuffushi are left stranded in Male’ City, noted Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef who added that these people were losing a lot of money for purposes such as rent every day.

“From Kulhudhuffushi alone, there are 142 individuals stranded in Male’. MVR 13,000 has been spent by them as expenses for rent alone, at a rate of MVR 450 per day for the 29 days. This is higher than a common individuals’ three-year savings, honorable Speaker.” Said the North Kulhudhuffushi MP.

A similar report of 127 people from Naifaru being left stranded in Male’ was talked about by MP for Naifaru Ahmed Shiyam.

‘Decentralized regulation for quarantine purposes’’

Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed called for the aspects of decentralization to be incorporated into the quarantine policy. However, this can only be achieved once the policy explicitly stated in the Public Health Act’s Article (5) is brought into existence. Nasheed said that he had requested the Minister on numerous occasions for the policy, which has not yet been formulated.

The law pertains granting powers to Councils in islands, atolls, and cities to implement the work of the Ministry and take responsibility and in essence, become an agent appointed by the Minister to the area of jurisdiction of the Council to implement the Act.

A regulation must be formed which clearly states the responsibilities of Councils under the Act, and should be publicly announced and published on the government gazette.

Speaker Nasheed stated that why quarantine facilities were not established in islands was a matter that should be enquired.

“We should clarify why citizens cannot go back to their families after quarantine, why they are not placed in quarantine, and why a more difficult arrangement is being followed.” Said Nasheed.

He even said that there was no one way for the virus to spread and that it would most likely spread even if citizens were to travel or not travel to their own islands. He added that it was likely the whole country could be infected with the virus.

“If we aim to stop the spread of infection by 100 percent, what we have to do is place the 500,000 strong population of the country into a small cell. In my heart, that is not something we want.” Said Nasheed.