K. Male'
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18 Mar 2020 | Wed 14:03
File photo
File photo
Yoosuf Sofwan Rasheed
Covid-19
Covid-19: stop violating isolation orders and putting others at risk!
 
There were two cases of violations of the rules of self-isolation on Tuesday
 
Violating her orders is a crime
 
The self-isolation order are imposed by the director general of public health, under the powers granted to her by the declaration of a public health emegency

There were two cases of violations of the rules of self-isolation on Tuesday.

Authorities revealed that one case emerged from the capital city’s suburban island Villimalé while the second one is from southernmost Addu City.

CASE ONE:a Maldivian man that returned from South Korea two days ago and had developed Covid-19 like symptoms was told to stay at home until authorities arrived to transfer him to the isolation facility, however, he is to have attempted to flee.

The man was handed over to authorities by the police.

CASE TWO:a Maldivian had attempted to swim to Meedhoo island in Addu City from South Palm Resort, despite the 14-day ban on all travel between resorts and inhabited islands.

While the individual had attempted to leave the island after doctor’s confirmed that he did not pose any risks, he was still taken into police custody for violating orders; this was the first arrest over violation of self-isolation rules.

WHY IS SELF-ISOLATION IMPORTANT?

Individuals are placed under self-isolation as a precautionary measure as the government works to curb a major outbreak in the country.

A total of 13 people tested positive to coronavirus in Maldives thus far, out of the over 300 samples tested, and all are foreigners.

The country quickly declared a state of public health emergency on March 12, which accords power to the Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru. While individuals are placed under self-isolation under the director general’s orders, violating this is a crime.

Those that are asked to self-isolated at home are people with flu-like symptoms, as well as those that have had close contact with a confirmed case.

While a person under the low-risk category might not mind being infected, such thinking will put others at risk.

Self-isolation is not just about yourself, it is about protecting others and slowing down the spread of this disease that is sweeping across the globe, a disease that has killed over 8,000 people.

We cannot stress that the most effective way of preventing the disease of Covid-19 is for individual who has the virus, or might have been exposed to it, to limit the number of people they come into contact with for a 14-day period.

While self-isolation may seem tricky and boring, it cannot be that bad with the current technology available, compared to the olden days.

CLASS 4 FELONY

As individuals are reportedly violating isolation rules after returning from high-risk countries such as South Korea, authorities have since announced that all Maldivians that return from the eight nations in Maldives’ Covid-19 travel advisory, will be placed under quarantine at the facilities for two weeks.

There have been several warnings over the measures that will be taken on those that violate the orders, with Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem emphasizing that that reckless endangerment is a “Class 4 Felony”.

Even if this were not a felony, it is important to exercise our civic responsibility.

While Maldives is yet to announce a complete lockdown, there have been multiple closures and bans on events, mostly to enforce social distancing which is a public health measure that can help stop coronavirus transmission by avoiding crowds and large gatherings.

With the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, focus on personal responsibility is high throughout the world.

Being a hero is also about washing your hands, staying at home and protecting yourself in order to protect others.
Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez
Last updated at: 4 months ago
Reviewed by: Aman Haleem
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