Constructed gratis by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), a quarantine facility for proprietors in the Maldives to accommodate foreign workers for medical observation was completed and delivered on May 18. The project covers an area of about 5,000 square meters, and the facility will be able to accommodate 800 people.

The project officially started on April 27, and construction took only 22 days to complete. It takes up an area of 4,987.5 square meters and a construction area of 2,443 square meters, including four two-story prefabricated dormitories, one dining facility, and two-bathroom facilities. Each dormitory contains 80 rooms, and there are five twin-over-twin bunk beds in each room. The two-bathroom facilities are equipped with 84 toilet pans, 150 showers, and 44 wash basins, and the dining facility can seat up to 150 people.

The construction site, materials to build the prefab dorms, toilets and showers, fans, and other materials were provided by the Housing Development Corporation, a Maldivian government-owned enterprise. CSCEC was responsible for the entire construction of the project, and provided all labor as well as supplying 400 bunk beds free of charge.

On the construction site, sufficient masks, disinfectant, and other epidemic prevention supplies were provided. Workers’ body temperatures were checked, recorded, and reviewed daily by designated staff. None of the 200 employees sent by CSCEC were infected.

The owner of a Maldivian company said that the aid provided by Chinese enterprises at this critical moment gave the Maldives a boost.

The director of a Maldives tourism company spoke highly of Chinese enterprises’ sense of social responsibility, and expressed appreciation for their efforts to help the Maldives to build the epidemic control facilities.

The proprietors of this project said they believed that these facilities are of great significance in the Maldives’ battle against the epidemic, which will improve the crowded and poor living conditions of foreign workers and play a vital role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. They said they looked forward to future cooperation with CSCEC for joint development.