Addu limits café and shop hours, as cases in Male' continues to rise

Addu City Council, on Friday ordered businesses which offer services with the exception of health centers, clinics and pharmacies to be closed during night time.

The council had imposed similar restrictions in March, but later lifted the restrictions after Health Protection Agency (HPA) advised against such a move in any other region except for Male’ City at that time.

The council, in an announcement on Friday, stressed on the emergence of COVID-19 cases in the capital Male’, and the steep increase in cases, and said that it found restrictive measures to be necessary for the safety and wellbeing of the residents of Addu.

As such, the hours of shops and other businesses which offer general services have been restricted to 9:00 to 17:00, and may offer delivery services from 17:00 to 22:00.

Meanwhile, cafes, tea shops an restaurants may not offer dine-in services, but offer takeaway and delivery services from 9:00 to 00:00.

And food stands have also been asked to suspend dine-in services and offer takeaway and delivery services from 9:00 to 17:00.

The council has warned that non-compliance with the measures will be met with legal action in accordance with the Decentralization Act.

34 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, including 14 from Male’ – within the span of less than four days.