The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued a public advisory urging residents to take precautionary measures when going outdoors, following a significant drop in air quality across the Maldives.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the HPA recommended that the public monitor the air quality levels, which can be checked through the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s official link or the IQAIR Visual mobile application. Based on the severity of the air quality, individuals are advised to take appropriate precautions.
For air quality levels categorized as yellow, the HPA advises sensitive individuals, including those with respiratory issues, to avoid outdoor activities. If going outside is unavoidable, wearing N95 masks or similar protective gear is recommended. The public is also encouraged to keep doors and windows closed to prevent polluted air from entering homes, and to use air purifiers indoors.
When air quality reaches the orange level, both the general public and sensitive individuals are at risk of irritation and respiratory issues. The HPA stressed the importance of taking extra precautions during this time.
At the red level, the air quality poses a higher risk, with an increased likelihood of aggravating heart and lung conditions. The agency highlighted that this level of pollution could have adverse effects on the health of the general population, urging everyone to limit outdoor exposure.
Air quality monitoring systems, including those at the Maldives National University’s Centre for Maritime Studies campus in Vilimale’, have indicated concerning readings. On Monday, the air quality in the Malé area was recorded at 159 on the Air Quality Index, which falls under the red category.
As air quality continues to deteriorate, the HPA is urging residents to stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect their health, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
