Government has begun disbursing Frontline Allowance for workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle, with MVR 2.9 million being disbursed to 220 workers so far.

Finance Ministry announced that frontline workers began receiving the allowance in a tweet today.

As such, the Ministry said that MVR 2.9 million in frontline allowances have been disbursed to 220 workers so far. This includes allowances for the workers who have been working since March, when the COVID-19 outbreak began.

They further added that the allowance will be disbursed to more workers at the soonest possible, once the data verification process is complete.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer revealed that frontline workers are categorized into three groups last May, and announced the Frontline Allowances for these workers.

He stated that frontline workers engaged in the high-risk category will be paid a daily allowance of MVR 500, these are workers who are in direct contact with patients and suspected patients including doctors and nurses. The second category is workers engaged in medium risk-tasks, who will receive MVR 250, while the third category is workers engaged in low-risk tasks who will receive MVR 200.

The Minister also added that p[olitical appointees, workers in and above deputy minister level, and workers who already receive an allowance for the frontline work are not eligible for the new allowance.