HEOC announces curfew in Male’ City, due to virus cases increase

Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) has announced a curfew from 22:00 to 5:00 in Male' City areas consisting of Male' City, Hulhumale' Villimale' Thilafushi, and Gulhifalhu.

HEOC announced the measures in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases in the country. Speaking in a press conference of HEOC, Health Ministry's Policy planning, and international health official, Aishath Saamiya announced the measures put in place due to the increase of cases. 

The curfew means that takeaway services, businesses are also to be closed during that time. Shops and businesses are also to be closed from 9:30 onwards. Members of the public will not be permitted on the streets and vehicles are also not to be driven during that time.  

Under the new measures, groups exceeding more than five will not be permitted on the streets. Police will be working to enforce the curfew starting tonight said Chief Superintendent of Police Abdulla Shareef who is the Head of Male' City Police.

Public gatherings such as ceremonies and sports activities of groups such as team training sessions and tournaments will no longer be permitted under the new measures enforced.

The Maldives initially identified its first COVID-19 case on March 7. The first case in Male' City was identified on April 15. A strict lockdown was put in place as cases began to increase in the capital. After the case numbers began to go down, the government announced easements to the measures in place.

The most significant easements were introduced at the beginning of last month. However, case figures have been steadily increasing in the capital since then. The country confirmed 244 cases in the last two days. HPA has since announced a mandatory mask ruling in the capital.