The Maldivian government has announced that they will arrange a loan facility for the fisheries sector to ease the challenges faced by the sector due to COVID-19. According to the Fisheries Ministry, following a discussion between Fisheries Minister Zaha Waheed and Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, it was decided that leeway should be provided to the existing loans given to build fishing vessels and buy engines for the vessels, in addition to arranging an MVR 100 million loan facility to the fish exporters. The step was taken following the cease in fish exports to Europe, which has emerged as the epicenter of the pandemic. The government also announced an “Economic Aid” package to minimise the economic loss to the country owing to the virus outbreak. Under the economic package, an easier finance facility will be provided to small and medium-sized enterprises. Bank of Maldives has provided a loan facility of USD 2 million as working capital for guest houses and resorts. The Indian Ocean island nation has confirmed 13 cases of Covid-19 as of March 12. Following the spread to COVID-19 in the Maldives, the government has declared a national public health emergency for 30 days. The government has closed all schools and universities as a precautionary measure to combat the virus.