Govt. imposes 14-day lockdown in Male' City

The government of Maldives has imposed a 14-day lockdown in Male' City area. The areas include Hulhumale', Male' City and Vilimale'.

The capital was already in a state of lockdown since Wednesday, which was set to expire today at 15:30. The order by the government is part of the measures to control the virus in the capital after the alert levels were raised to Level 4: Red.

The Maldives has confirmed 27 cases of the Covid-19 so far. Seven cases have been tested positive in Male’ City with four in the last 24-hours alone.

The first case of the virus in the capital, Patient 21, was a resident of M. Jareemaage. The next case of the virus, Patient 22 was later tested positive and identified as the child of Patient 21. Patient 23, the third case of the virus in the capital, had been in direct contact with Patient 21.

Authorities are still working to determine exactly how Patient 21 was infected with the virus. It has still not been confirmed who “Patient 0” or the index case in Male’ City is.

Two other cases (Patient 24 and Patient 25) announced last night were also tested positive after coming into contact with Patient 23. HPA announced earlier today that the confirmed case of Patient 26 is another individual who was in direct contact with Patient 23, the third case of the virus confirmed in Male’ City on Wednesday.

The authorities have not yet specified if the most recent case, Patient 27, was in contact with any of the other cases confirmed in the City.

The government also announced that the lockdown would be extended for all other islands across the country and banned travels between islands late last night. Essential travel and supplies are to be arranged under the instructions of island councils.

The lockdown in Male’ City means the public will be barred from going outdoors. Public transport has been halted and the movement of people to and from the city has also been suspended. Flights have also been halted at the Velana International Airport and domestic air travel has been suspended.

There have been some issues faced in obtaining basic necessities from shops by residents of Male’ City, for which a special government committee has now been formed to resolve.