35 people who attended a wedding reception test positive for COVID-19

At least 35 guests who attended a wedding reception in Male' City earlier this week have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Health Protection Agency (HPA) to quarantine everyone who attended the reception and commence testing.

HPA announced on Saturday that the wedding reception in question took place at the SHE building on December 20, and was attended by 120 guests, 35 of whom have tested positive so far.

HPA has stated that all guests and those who worked at the reception are being quarantined.

“This agency is contacting everyone who attended the function and everyone involved in the function and placing them under quarantine. And we are also testing those at high risk,” said HPA in a statement.

HPA has asked that those who attended the reception but have not been contacted by the agency as of yet to call the hotline 1676 and share their information as soon as possible. Those who attended the reception have also been asked to self-isolate.

HPA has asked that functions such as wedding receptions be held in accordance with the agency’s guidelines; including those with flu symptoms avoiding such functions, wearing masks, issuing invitations to a limited number of guests to ensure social distancing can be maintained, ensuring the location has proper ventilation, and making special arrangements for serving food.