Maldives Medical Association (MMA) has recommended temporarily halting schools and public gatherings as a containment step for the Covid-19 outbreak in the Maldives.

MMA made the recommendation in a tweet tagging Health Protection Agency, Health Ministry, President's Office and Education Ministry.

In their tweet, MMA said that they recommend temporarily halting of schools and public gatherings as a containment step for the Covid-19 outbreak in the Maldives.

Their recommendation comes at a time during some doctors have expressed their opinion on the re-opening of schools next Sunday after their mid-term holidays. These doctors too had said that they believe that the closure of schools for now was a better option.

Chief Medical Officer at ADK Hospital, Dr. Abdulla Niyaf has also advised to keep children indoors as a precautionary measure. Dr. Niyaf made the remark on Twitter in response to a question raised about sending children to sports sessions, holiday camps and tuition classes while the country is on a Yellow Alert for the disease.

Experts in the health sector say that the most important preventive measure to protect one’s self from COVID-19 is the frequent washing of hands. Sanitizers can also be used to clean the hands to get rid of any germs on the hands but experts advise soap as the preferred method.

They also advise against spitting in public places and staying indoors if there are coughs and sneezing and not to cough and sneeze on the palm of the hands and to use one’s elbows if a tissue is not available. The public is also advised against frequent touching of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) advises anyone suspected of symptoms of COVID-19 are to stay indoors and contact the designated emergency hotline, 1767 and share the information.