President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that the country is ready for a situation where COVID-19 spreads and becomes an epidemic.

The President made the statement in his address to the nation today after a COVID-19 case was confirmed in Male’ City this morning.

He stressed that all relevant authorities and institutions have been preparing for a spread in the Maldives since January. He added that they had kept in mind of a single case being discovered in the capital city at the time and had been preparing since then.

President Solih noted that the biggest priority of the government was ensuring that all those who are sick receive the treatment they need.

He gave his confidence that the Government is implementing all necessary safeguards to minimise community spread and protect the public.