COVID-19 in the Maldives: a timeline

In December 2019 the world was unprepared as a deadly viral outbreak began in Wuhan, China. From then on the Novel Coronavirus, designated COVID-19, has gone on to infect millions around the world, causing catastrophic disruption to lives and livelihoods.

Within mere months the virus had reached the tiny island nation of the Maldives. Government officials begun putting in place new protocols and rapid response teams immediately after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency — with a rating of “very high” in terms of global risk and impact.

The battle against COVID-19 remains active even today, with the fallout sending major economic shockwaves throughout the country.

Current Status

CDC has classified rate of new infections in the Maldives as "Very High."
75 percent of the population have completed the first dose of vaccinations.
25 percent are fully vaccinated — having received two doses.

Following is a timeline of how the outbreak began and continues to unfold.

07 March 2020

First cases confirmed.

The Government of the Maldives confirms the nation's first case of COVID-19.
An Italian national working at Kuredu Island Resort, in Lhaviyani Atoll, tests positive.
The national COVID-19 task-force initiates preliminary protocols in monitoring those in contact with the individual.
Precautionary measures such as thermal screening, local testing facilities, travel advisories and designated quarantine centres are established.
Initial focus is to prepare and increase national capacity to respond to those infected arriving from overseas.

12 March 2020

Health Minister declares State of Public Health Emergency.

Task-force is actively tracing direct contacts since the first confirmed case and transferring individuals with covid like symptoms to isolation facilities.
There are now 20 confirmed positive cases.
Under the State of Public Health Emergency, imposed with immediate effect, there are temporary suspensions of all academic activities & tourist check-ins at guesthouses in the Greater Malé Region and a temporary ban on travel from resorts to all inhabited islands.
Two days later, all use of public grounds and parks are restricted in order to contain the spread.

15 April 2020

First indication of community spread in Malé — lockdown.

A Maldivian in Malé tests positive for COVID-19, triggering a wide community spread in the Greater Malé Region.
Government places the Greater Malé Region on lock down with public activity and local travel restrictions — this leads to a high levels of concern within the community mainly in terms of grocery shopping, working from home and having to stay home during the month of Ramadan.
Multiple agencies such as the Police, the Maldives National Defence Force, the Malé City Council, State Owned Enterprises, the Maldives Red Crescent and many more volunteers participated to support the National Emergency Operation Centre (NOEC) in providing a rapid response to communal needs.

30 April 2020

First death of COVID-19 patient.

Authorities confirm the first death of a COVID-19 patient — an 83 year old woman who died en-route to the hospital.
Total number of cases since the start of outbreak stands at 468.

28 May 2020

Restrictions eased in Malé lockdown.

Restrictions are eased in stages after impact assessments every two weeks.
Spread of cases slow down significantly as expected.
Households are only allowed to go out for essential needs for an approved period with a police permit.

15 July 2020

Re-opening of international borders.

Tourism re-opens in the Maldives with measures made public.
Initially no pre-arrival tests for COVID-19 are required.
Pre-arrival tests are made mandatory starting 10 September 2020 to further limit arrivals with infections.
During this period 17,166 tourist arrivals are recorded.

28 July 2020

Daily new cases exceed 100.

151 new case are recorded with a total number of positive cases now at 3,512.
Recovery rate remains high with 2,769 patients having recovered from the virus.

15 October 2020

Guesthouses allowed to re-open.

Government announces guesthouses in local islands can be re-opened to local and international tourists effective 15th October 2020.
Restrictive measures on curfew and movement eased with positive cases below 5% since mid-September.

07 November 2020

Restrictions eased.

With an average of 30 new cases per day, Government eases restrictions
Curfew time is reduced, outdoor & contact sport activities are allowed, working in offices can resume, parks and public grounds are open and traveling to local islands, with quarantine, is allowed.

18 December 2020

Curfew eliminated.

Curfew in Malé, from 12:00am till 04:00am, is eliminated allowing free movement.
Locals are able to resume daily activity while adjusting to new guidelines such as use of masks in public, social distancing and traveling, abroad & to local islands, with negative PCR results.

01 February 2021

Administration of vaccine begins.

Health authorities commence administering “Covishield” in Malé, Addu City and H Dh. Kulhudhufushi — priority is given to front-liners, high risk patients and health sector officials.
Covishield vaccination will be open to public in phases within the following weeks. Priority is given to high risk and patients undergoing long-term treatments.

02 February 2021

Restrictive measures.

Several restrictive measures come into force due to possibility of spreading of newly discovered variant from the UK in Maldives.
Curfew imposed from 11:00pm till 4:30am.
Land vehicles are restricted after 08:30pm.
Parks and public grounds are closed for 2 weeks.
Pre-schools and nurseries are closed.
Physical attendance at colleges and academic institutions are stopped.
All sports activities are stopped.
Mandatory use of mask outside homes in all areas of the Maldives is enforced.

22 March 2021

Administration of Sinopharm vaccine begins.

Sinopharm vaccine start being administered for those above the age of 18 and those who have not yet been administered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

05 April 2021

Administering second dose of vaccines.

Second dose of Covishield vaccinations begin for those already vaccinated with a first dose of the vaccine — the second dose is advised to be taken 4 weeks after the first dose.

20 April 2021

Travel to islands without quarantine.

If 60% of an island's population has been administered two doses of a vaccine, locals can travel to the island without having to quarantine, 14 days days they obtain the second dose.

27 April 2021

Highest daily surge

Authorities confirm 328 cases of new infections, national total surpasses 28,000 cases.
In the wake of a second wave, government re-introduced restrictions in the Greater Malé Region.
Tourists arriving from India are banned from visiting inhabited islands.

03 May 2021

Mandatory PCR test for inbound travellers.

All arrivals including Maldivian citizens and those who are fully vaccinated, must present a negative PCR test carried out 96 hours prior to departure for the Maldives.
585 new cases confirmed with total cases at 31,330.

05 May 2021

Battling the second wave.

Highest number of cases to date reported, with 601 positive cases on 4 May.
With a rapid rise in cases, authorities enforce new restrictions to fight against possible community spread of a new variant of Covid-19.
Parks are off limits.
Sports activities are restricted.
Curfew from 00:00 hours to 04:00 hours.
Travel to inhabited islands as well as to and from industrial islands are restricted unless for essential needs and with approval from relevant authorities.
Maldivians and work permit holders traveling to the Maldives required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.

06 May 2021

Restrictions strengthened.

Curfew from 21:00 hours to 04:00 hours.

07 May 2021

Further restrictions.

To restrict movement, exercise classes will be halted, gyms, cinemas and salons will be temporarily closed.