MALE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Maldives government has taken several steps to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has so far seen eight people infected, local media reported Friday.
Following the declaration of a state of public health emergency on Thursday, the City Council of capital city Male has decided to temporarily close parks and public spaces as a precautionary measure.
Authorities have also taken steps to delay the opening of schools on March 13 by a week, while Local Council Elections have been delayed by two weeks in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The government has also decided to suspend all tourist excursions and has temporarily halted the arrival of visitors from China, Iran, parts of South Korea, Italy and Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has announced that all prison visitations have been temporarily halted in order to safeguard prison employees and inmates.
However, prison inmates will be allowed to make longer phone calls with their families.
