Maldives this week: 2 - 8 January 2022
Last week's key headlines.
On 8 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Indian Government has implemented stricter measures for arrivals into India, requiring those arriving from 11 January onwards to undergo a 7-day home quarantine, followed by a PCR test.
On 8 January, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reported 337 COVID-19 cases, increasing the number of cases reported in the Maldives to date to 97,668. There are currently 3,300 active cases in the country.
On 8 January, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, paid a courtesy call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
On 7 January, the Government of Maldives and China signed a number of agreements, including an agreement on mutual visa exemptions, an agreement on economic and technical cooperation, a letter of exchange on a feasibility study of management and maintenance of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, a supplementary contract to the implementation contract for China-aided micro-grid seawater desalination project, and an agreement on establishing a hospital assistance and cooperation programme.
On 7 January, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, arrived in the Maldives on an invitation from Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
On 6 January, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology signed an agreement with Fenaka Corporation to implement a MVR20 million program for the installation of home solar panels. The ministry said that the program is a revolving fund, financed by the government.
On 5 January, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied reports that the country is in talks to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
On 5 January, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that he is against forced migration to the capital, and that the solution is for the Maldives to be connected through a decentralised framework.
On 5 January, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) said it had arrested 11 from an opposition protest, for obstruction of police duties.
On 5 January, the Ministry of Finance amended the Public Finance Regulations to allow for advance payments to be made without an advance payment guarantee, with approval from the Minister of Finance. The exemption will be applicable on projects awarded without a bid and for the provision of public services, to majority government owned companies and those listed on the Maldives Stock Exchange,
On 4 January, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that health experts have advised the coming three weeks may see an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country. He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and practice safety measures. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) on 4 January reported 228 new cases over the past 24 hours.
On 4 January, the Maldives Police Service (MPS) said that there were no grounds for a criminal investigation in the case filed by Jamiyyathul Ithihaad against Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, alleging that he had sent Christmas greetings via Twitter.
On 4 January, lawyers from opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) announced the parties' decision to file a case to annul the 2018 presidential election, citing irregularities.
On 2 January, former President Abdulla Yameen said, in an interview to Channel 13, that he did not believe in population consolidation in other atolls/islands and that instead population should be consolidated in the Malé area.
On 2 January, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed returned to the Maldives after concluding their unofficial visit to Sri Lanka.
