22 more businesses closed for COVID-19 safety guideline violations

Health Protection Agency (HPA) announced on Sunday that it has ordered the temporary closure of 22 more business establishments in the capital for violation of the safety guidelines issued by the agency in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

HPA initiated a mass inspection of cafés and restaurants, shops, gyms and fitness centers, salons and markets in the greater Male’ region last week, a follow-up to a mass inspection conducted earlier in July.

The agency inspected 135 establishments on Sunday, following which it closed down 22 business establishments for violation of safety guidelines. They include seven cafes and restaurants, nine shops, four salons and barber shops, one market, and one spa.

HPA has now inspected total 510 business establishments and closed down 142 business establishment found in violation of safety guidelines. They include 62 cafes and restaurants, 58 shops, 19 salons and barber shops, two markets, and one spa.

The follow-up mass inspection comes amid a surge in coronavirus cases with the relaxation of the lockdown in July. An increasing number of new coronavirus cases are unlinked to existing clusters, which health authorities warn indicates a wide community spread.

Mask while out in public in the greater Male’ region – the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Maldives – is now mandatory.

Maldives recorded 215 new cases this Sunday, marking the biggest single-day spike of coronavirus cases to be recorded in the country.

214 of the new cases were identified from the greater Male’ region and one was identified from the atolls.

Maldives now has 4,164 confirmed coronavirus cases. 2,643 patients have since recovered, while 18 have died from complications. The latest fatality was recorded on Sunday.

The country currently has 1,489 active cases. 84 of the coronavirus patients are hospitalized.