Mayor: Addu city decision came after discussions with Director General of Public Health

Addu city mayor Abdulla Sodiq has stated that the decision by the council to close all general public services in the city except medical clinics and pharmacies as a precaution against the Covid-19 virus, came after discussions with the Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru.

In an announcement made by the city council, it was stated that such services can only be open from 6:00 to 18:00. Cafés and restaurants that wished to provide delivery services would also have to obtain a special permit from the ward office. Delivery services can be conducted from 18:00 to 22:00.

In a news conference today, government spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez stated that the government did not wish to comment on the matter yet but the decision was not taken with the consultation of the HPA.

Responding to the statement, Addu city mayor Sodiq stated that the council would impose measures for the safety of citizens according to the law. The decision was made after discussing with the Director-General of Public Health and the Covid-19 taskforce of the government/

Some islands had also taken up the initiative to stop people from arriving and departing the islands, prompting the LGA to issue a statement that read that such powers were granted to the Director-General of Public Health under the law. The LGA requested councils to not make such decisions prematurely.