Councils granted authority to impose movement restrictions

Local councils have been granted the authority to impose movement restrictions in their respective islands to control the spread of COVID-19 during the state of public health emergency.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) declared the responsibilities of local councils pertaining to COVID-19 emergency response on Monday night.

The Director General of Public Health has ordered a ban on all non-essential travel between islands, and has ordered everyone who has travelled from the greater Male’ region after April 15 to practice 14-day self-isolation at home.

Local councils of residential islands outside of the greater Male’ region, on Monday, were instructed to enforce the orders, until instructed otherwise.

Local councils have also been authorized to impose movement restrictions and establish social distancing practices in areas under their jurisdiction. However, the measures must be implemented in light of the risk of the spread of COVID-19, and must not violate HPA’s policies.

Local councils have also been charged with the responsibility of issuing notices pertaining to HPA’s decisions regarding isolation and quarantine of people under their purview.

Several islands have already imposed movement restrictions and closed non-essential services.