Spokesperson of the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Fathimath Nazla Rafeeq has said that 27 percent of the population has yet to receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

During a press conference held at the Health Operation Emergency Center, Dr. Nazla said that getting vaccinated is crucial to stay safe from the coronavirus.

She said that normal life could only be resumed after a large portion of the population is vaccinated, and asked everyone to treat it as a national work.

Dr. Nazla also said that if a significant portion of the population is vaccinated, further restrictions will be eased.

73% of vaccine eligible population has completed the first dose of the vaccine in the Maldives with 59% having completed both doses.