Foreigners residing in the Maldives who have not undergone a medical checkup over the past year will be required to perform one within six months, the government has said.
Speaking at a press conference today, Principal Secretary to the President on Public Policy Abdulla Nazim said the decision was made at yesterday's cabinet meeting as diseases eradicated in the Maldives have been detected among migrant workers.
Expatriates who have not undergone a medical checkup over the past year will be required to complete one within the next six months, Nazim said.
In order to strengthen the medical checkup mechanism, the government has also decided to require foreigners coming for long periods to undergo tests upon arrival and at least once a year, Nazim said.
The cabinet also decided to shorten the period provided for foreign workers to undergo a medical checkup upon arrival in the Maldives from 30 days at present to 15 days. Medical checkups will also be required for expatriates from endemic regions who seek to extend or renew visas, the cabinet decided.
"Anyone who comes to the Maldives must do the medical within these 15 days and submit to the Health Ministry in accordance with the rules," Nazim noted.
Authorizing the Health Ministry to add tests to the checkup based on the prevailing situation was also approved during yesterday's cabinet meeting. Checkups could only be done at clinics or centers that meet standards set by the government.
In addition, the cabinet also decided to make checkups mandatory for regularizing undocumented workers in the country.
