President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih spoke with the British Foreign Secretary Rt Hon. Dominic Raab over the telephone this afternoon, regarding the ongoing pandemic, COVID-19. The President and the Foreign Secretary briefed one another on how the novel coronavirus has impacted both countries, and the steps their respective governments are taking in order to address the crisis.
The President remarked that while the Maldives successfully delayed community spread for over a month following the first reported positive case in the country on March 7th, the rate of spread has accelerated in the capital city in the past ten days. This prompted the Government, which is currently under a State of Public Health Emergency, to impose a full lockdown in the Greater Male’ Region and expand implementation of precautionary social distancing measures nationwide.
Whilst cases currently number over two hundred in the Maldives, the President expressed confidence in the current measures implemented upon recommendation of health experts to contain the spread. The President noted the significant impact containment measures have taken on the Maldives’ economy, and highlighted the vulnerability of small island developing states.
Acknowledging the impact of COVID-19 on the U.K, the President relayed his best wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson who is soon to resume his official duties.
Ending the call, the President remarked on the excellent ties that have always marked the relationship between the United Kingdom and the Maldives, and expressed his gratitude for the British Government’s assistance in expediting the Maldives’ re-entry into the Commonwealth. Maldives and the UK continue to work together on many common issues of concern including climate change.