Abstract:
Risk communication strategies and modalities are at the heart of the pandemic
response containment and mitigation. As the pandemic unfolded across the world, a small
island country like the Maldives in democratic transition and highly dependent on other
economies perceived risks beyond that of health effects to the economic and political
spheres. In this context, the multi-media approach adopted in communicating risks
and response interventions were effective in building confidence in the national response
towards transmission of COVID-19 specific knowledge and prevention behaviour. Despite
best efforts, shortcomings were experienced in reaching vulnerable segments such as
migrants and persons with disabilities. The prolonged pandemic demands re-focussing risk
communication towards empowering institutions for providing low risk modalities for
individuals returning to work and daily life with preventive behaviours.
