Dr Ali Latheef has appealed the elderly and pregnant women to remain indoors during this time.

Speaking during a press conference at the National Emergency Operation Center, Dr Latheef noted that the spread of Covid-19 in the community is a great risk and that all necessary steps to ensure prevention needed to be taken. As such, the highest priority should be given to physical distancing and staying indoors as much as possible.

He also noted that if one has the flu, they should refrain from going to hospitals and instead contact them on their hotline to determine the next course of action.

Dr Latheef also stressed that the elderly, pregnant women and children should not go outdoors during this time. Health experts have constantly reiterated that these were high risk groups for the virus, which may result in fatal cases.

He however did note that people of all age groups are still at risk of contracting the virus and so had appealed all to remain indoors and practice physical distancing as much as possible.

HPA has issued a 24-hour lockdown of the Greater Male’ Region after a Maldivian tested positive to Covid-19 today.