Male: The Maldives government has extended the public health emergency that has been declared in the Maldives in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a news brief held on Monday night, Health Minister Abdulla Ameen announced the extension of the public health emergency for the fourth time. The current extension is until July 14.

The public health emergency was declared in the Maldives on March 12 for the first time following the WHO announcing COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The public health emergency was announced under the authority entrusted to the Health Ministry under the Public Health Act. Initially, it was announced across the Maldives for 30 days. Once the 30 days expired, it was extended until April 30, after that until May 30, and again until June 30 following that.

As per the public health emergency declaration statement issued by the Health Minister, it has been decided to extend the public health emergency until July 14 since there is the possibility COVID-19 pandemic may escalate in the Maldives. The decision is made based on the advice of the Director General of Public Health as a precautionary measure to mitigate the spread of the virus and to ensure the safety of public health, said the ministry.

The Director General of Public Health has instructed to take necessary special steps stipulated within the law based on the situation and condition to ensure the safety of the public.

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