COVID-19: Addu imposes ban on house visits

Addu City has imposed a ban on house visits as part of additional restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19.

Addu City Council announced on Sunday night that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) had instructed the council to reinforce existing measures and implement new measures in response to the rise in cases in the city.

The measures include a ban on house visits and a ban on public gatherings – including sports competitions, ceremonies and functions.

The council has also ordered the suspension of extracurricular activities at schools – including competitions and ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the 21:00-04:00 hours curfew will remain in place.

According to the latest statistics released by the Addu Emergency Operations Center, Addu has recorded 2,768 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 14 new cases recorded on Sunday. 2,494 patients have since recorded, while 10 have died from complications.

The city currently has 264 active cases. Three of the patients are hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the country’s total confirmed cases, including the 114 new cases recorded on Sunday, stands at 91,464. 89,434 patients have since recovered, while 248 have died from complications.

The country currently has 1,769 active cases. 12 of the patients are hospitalized.

Maldives has imposed new travel restrictions this week following the emergence of Omicron, a concerning new variant of COVID-19. Entrance of tourists from seven southern African countries - South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini – has been banned, while locals and work-permit holders arriving from the countries are required to quarantine.