Government announces a 24-hour lockdown on Male’

Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru, on Wednesday, issued an order for a 24-hour lockdown on Male’ City, following the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in the capital.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced the first virus case in the populous capital this morning; a Maldivian national who presented to a flu clinic. The patient has been moved to an isolation facility.

HPA has announced that Male’ City is now under 24-hour lockdown.

The Director General of Public Health has announced the following measures for the next 24-hours, effective immediately:

• Ban on vehicles and persons out on the streets in Male’, Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’
• Suspension of public transport services in Male’, Hulhumale’, and Vilimale’
• Ban on transport in and out of Male’, Hulhumale’, Vilimale’ and Gulhifalhu

The following are exempt from the order:

• Police and military officers and their vehicles
• Healthcare workers and their vehicles
• Ambulances
• Individuals with a pass from National Emergency Operations Center
• Medias with a pass from National Emergency Operations Center

HPA has announced that Maldives Police Service has been authorized to impose all necessary measures and make arrangements to facilitate access to essential services in the enforcement of the order, based on individual circumstances.

Violation of the orders of the Director General of Public Health is punishable by law.