Violation of quarantine order punishable with up to MVR 5,000 in fines

Health Protection Agency’s guideline on isolation and quarantine facilities has been revised to accommodate up to MVR 5,000 in fines for violation of quarantine orders.

The revision was published on the Government Gazette on Monday, and is designed to take immediate effect.

HPA stated that everyone is required to comply with quarantine orders, and provide their cooperation in the efforts to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Failure to provide necessary cooperation, obstruction of work to provide treatment under isolation or quarantine, and obstruction to the running of an isolation or quarantine facility has been declared an offense.

The revision to HPA’s guideline declares that obstruction of efforts to provide treatment under quarantine is punishable with a fine of MVR 5,000.

Meanwhile, violation of an order to get quarantined or isolated is punishable with a fine of up to MVR 5,000.

First-time violators stand to face a MVR 2,500 fine, second-time violators a MVR 3,500 fine, and three-time or repeat violators a MVR 5,000 fine.

Maldives Police Service has been authorized to take necessary action to enforce the guideline, while councils have been authorized to take necessary action to enforce the guideline in islands that do not have police stations.