Police issue warning ahead of planned protest in Male’

Maldives Police Service, on Saturday, issued a warning against holding protests and other public gatherings amid the state of public health emergency which has been declared over the coronavirus outbreak.

The warning comes ahead of a protest planned by the left-wing political movement Navaanavai in front of the Parliament on Monday.

Maldives Police Service issued a short statement via its official Twitter account on Saturday, reminding that while residents of the capital are allowed outside without a permit during non-curfew hours under the second phase of the relaxation of the lockdown, people remain prohibited from gathering in crowds exceeding three people.

Maldives Police Service said it its statement that gatherings of more than three people will therefore violate the orders of the Director General of Public Health – an offense which is legally punishable.

“Maldives Police Service therefore advises not to hold gatherings against the orders of the HPA amid the state of public health emergency, to prioritize the health and safety of the beloved members of the general public, and for everyone to adhere to the instructions of the Health Protection Agency,” wrote the agency in its statement.

ޢާންމު ސިއްހަތުގެ ކުއްލި ނުރައްކަލުގެ މި ހާލަތުގައި، ރައްޔިތުންގެ ރައްކާތެރިކަން އިސްކޮށް، އެޗްޕީއޭގެ އެންގުންތަކާ އެއްގޮތަށް ޢަމަލުތައް ބެހެއްޓެވުމަށް އިލްތިމާސްކުރަން!#EaseDownPhase2#COVID19Maldives#StayHomeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/GuwrhvFQon

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) June 20, 2020

Navaanavai’s planned protest is titled “Majlis Heylavvaalaa!” which translates to “Wake up the Parliament”.

In an interview to Sun last week, Navaanavai spokesperson Fathimath Saaira said the movement has four main demands; stopping evictions due to inability to pay rent, stopping environmental damage, providing sufficient funding towards efforts to protect women and children, and expediting the disbursement of income support allowance.

Maldives identified its first coronavirus case on March 7, and declared a state of public health emergency over the pandemic four days later on March 11.

While coronavirus cases had initially been restricted to resorts and safaris, and later quarantine facilities holding inbound travelers, Male’ City identified its first coronavirus case on April 15, prompting a city-wide lockdown and a nationwide ban on nonessential travel.

The populous capital quickly emerged as the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Maldives, contributing to over 90 percent of total cases.

Maldives has 2,150 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 1,769 patients have recovered and eight have died from complications.

Maldives began relaxing its lockdown following a drop in daily infections in the end of May.

With the beginning of phase two of the relaxation of the lockdown on the capital last week, residents of Male’ City and its suburbs Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’ are now allowed outside without a permit from 05:00 am to 10:00 pm.

It marks the first time for residents of the populous Maldivian capital to be allowed outside without a permit in two months.

Meanwhile, restrictive measures in all other islands, except for the capital have been lifted.