HPA urge to limit family members receiving return pilgrims

Health Protection Agency (HPA) of the Maldives has urged to reduce the number of family members visiting the airport to receive returning Hajj pilgrims.

HPA on Sunday, cautioned public to wear masks in public transportation options; including buses and ferries besides airports.

The authority also urged public to refrain from visiting public venues, unless necessary, if they have persistent cold, fever and coughing.

Children, elderly citizens and high-risk patients are required to isolate or remain indoors if they contact any viral diseases.

While pilgrims are set to return to the Maldives in four batches, two of these batches have already returned with the remaining batches scheduled to arrive on July 01st and 04th.

Every year, different types of viral contagions break out with the arrival of pilgrims.

Besides HPA, other relevant bodies have cautioned the public to strengthen precautionary measures to combat infectious diseases.

Since Monday last week, with the arrival of the first batch of pilgrims, authorities have discovered meningococcal - a serious bacterial infection - from the Maldives.

Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) opened a flu clinic specifically to screen returning pilgrims for the presence of viral diseases, and urged public to make only necessary visits to the hospitals.