Authorities have said that there could be a minor surge in Covid-19 cases, as movement restriction measures are eased.

Speaking at Friday night’s Covid-19 press briefing, Dr. Ibrahim Afzal said that this is predicted as people will be permitted to leave their homes.

Noting that wanting to leave homes after being in lockdown for over a month is normal, the doctor urged all to consider the impact this could have.

He further stressed the importance of maintaining control of the number of cases, but noted that there could be a surge at the initial stage.

The doctor further noted that the lockdown measures have had a positive impact in containing the virus, as well as the people following instructions by health officials, and emphasized that the situation will continue to improve as long as the public continues to do so.

While Maldives capital has been on lockdown since the detection of a Covid-19 community spread on April 15, the entire country is on a partial lockdown with unauthorized travel between islands banned. These movement restriction measures have since been extended, and the last extension will remain until May 28.

Authorities are working to ease these measures after the current lockdown period ends, and it is to be done in phases.

However, the measures are to reenacted if the country’s situation worsens.