Spokesperson of the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Nazla Rafeeq has said that the number of COVID-19 cases in the country did not increase due to the schools being reopened.

With a spike in reported cases, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has started strengthening measures with a night curfew and quarantines while traveling between islands along with a ban on events such as parties and ceremonies.

At the HEOC press event last night, Dr. Nazla said that no decision has been made on closing the schools despite the rising number of cases.

She said that it is not related that the cases increased in the first two weeks of schools reopening. And although there has been positive cases among students and school staff, it is not spreading through the schools but the outside community.

After ten months, the schools in the Male’ Area was reopened on 10 January 2021. The Education Ministry said that measures are in place in the form of masks, temperature checks and washing areas to prevent spreads in the schools.

Education Ministry said that contactless teaching have been arranged at the schools.