Maldives introduces new strict measures including curfew to curb virus

The Maldivian government has imposed new measures that will be implemented in the capital Male' city area of the country in order to curb and contain the Covid-19 virus in the country. The new measures include a curfew and the suspension of 24-hour delivery services.

The curfew which will come into effect tomorrow (April 2, 2020) was instructed by the Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru under the powers granted to her by the law. The government announced a public health emergency in the country on March 12 due to pandemic virus.

In an announcement issued last night, a curfew on residents in Male’ city from 17:00 to 20:00 will be imposed until further notice by the authorities, meaning residents are to remain indoors during these hours.

The curfew means that private vehicles will also be banned from being driven on the roads and public transport services such as buses and ferries are also to be temporarily halted. The announcement also banned groups of more than three people on the streets during hours other than the curfew.

The announcement stated 10 exceptions for the restrictions.

They are:

• Security forces. law enforcement authorities and vehicles used by these authorities.
• Medical and health service officials and vehicles belonging to these institutions.
• Waste Management Corporation employees on duty (in uniform) and vehicles belonging to the corporation.
• Employees of Ooredoo, Dhiraagu, Banks, STO, STELCO, MWSC on duty (in uniform) as well as vehicles belonging to these companies.
• State-owned vehicles with a “G” board.
• Diplomatic vehicles.
• Ambulances.
• Officials with a pass of the National Emergency Operation Center.
• Employees of pharmacies and vehicles driven by these employees.
• Vehicles with a sticker issued by the HPA.

The announcement also stated that exceptions could be granted for certain special situations.

Construction works and delivery services temporarily suspended!

Health Protection Agency also announced a temporary suspension on 24-hour delivery services for shops, restaurants, and cafés in the capital. The order by the authority means that shops, restaurants, and cafés in the capital will not be allowed to conduct delivery services from 23:00 to 6:00.

Construction work in the capital area is also to be halted from 17:00 to 6:00.

The orders are to be in place until further notice by the authorities and apply to Hulhumale’, Male’ city and Vilimale’ as well.

Violating an order of the Director-General of Public Health is a crime in the Maldives and previous violations have been met with arrests and detainments. Charges have been brought forward in one instance of violation so far.

The Maldives has confirmed 18 cases of the Covid-19. 13 of these individuals have made full recoveries. The 13 individuals that recovered are all foreigners from resorts and safaris in the country. Currently, only three locals remain positive and under treatment for the virus in the Maldives. The three locals had all returned from the United Kingdom before being tested positive for the virus. Two tourists later tested positive for the virus also departed from the country after completing their quarantine periods. Their test results were received after they had already departed from the country.