News In Brief
June 6 & June 7

MBS meet, meningococcal detection and millionth tourist

News in brief from Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7.

President Muizzu met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al-Mina Palace. The president thanked the Saudi Arabian ruler for the “excellent services” extended to Maldivian Hajj pilgrims and the pair discussed strengthening bilateral ties. Muizzu also joined an annual reception for Islamic leaders who performed the Hajj pilgrimage this year.

The Health Protection Agency carried out contact tracing and administered prophylactic drugs to high-risk contacts after the reported death of a 24-year-old Maldivian man who tested positive for invasive meningococcal disease, a life-threatening illness caused by a bacterial infection. The few cases detected in the Maldives involved patients infected abroad, according to the HPA.

An Indian tourist who arrived for her honeymoon became the one millionth tourist of the year. The milestone was reached in record time.

The suspicious death of a person brought to the Addu Equatorial Hospital in the early hours of Saturday was under investigation, police told the media.

The national carrier Maldivian airlines added a fifth ATR 42-600 aircraft to its fleet.

The Shaviyani Funadhoo airport was temporarily closed on Saturday morning, disrupting scheduled flights during the busy Eid holiday travel period. Operations resumed in the late afternoon after a "technical problem" with a fire vehicle was fixed.

The Australian government updated travel advice to the Maldives, urging tourists to exercise a high degree of caution over the risk of “civil unrest and the ongoing threat of terrorism.” 

The Met office forecasted strong winds, rough seas, swell waves and scattered rains over the next five days. The southwest monsoon was expected to intensify after June 9. Seafarers were advised to exercise caution.

Police fined 11 drivers and towed three vehicles for violating a driving ban in Malé and Villimale on the evening of Eid. Some 141 people were cautioned.

After Eid prayers with mass congregations on Friday morning, evening events organised by the MNDF in Malé and Hulhumalé drew large crowds with children playing with rifles and machine guns under the supervision of soldiers.

President Muizzu said in a message to mark World Food Safety Day that the government was committed to ensuring a “safe, nutritious, and trustworthy” supply of food.