Male’ lockdown extended by another 14 days

The Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru, on Wednesday, issued an order to extend the lockdown on Greater Male’ Region by another 14 days.

Maimoona had issued the original lockdown order on April 15, following the emergence of the first case of COVID-19 in the populous capital. The original lockdown order had been for 24 hours, which was extended by another 24 hours the next day. However, following the emergence of more and more virus cases and confirmation of a community spread in the capital, Maimoona, on April 17, issued a new order for a 14-day lockdown on the Greater Male’ Region.

The order was extended by another 14 days this afternoon, one –day prior to expiration of the order.

“I hereby extend the order number 2020/37 I issued on Friday, April 17, 2020, under the authority vested in me as the Director General of Public Health under Article 34 (b) and (d) of the aforementioned Act, by another 14 (fourteen days),” reads the order, which has been published on the Gazette.

THE LOCKDOWN ORDER

• 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

Violation of the lockdown order is punishable with fines.