Curfew imposed in Fuvahmulah City

A curfew as well as a number of safety measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 has been imposed on the southern city of Fuvahmulah.

Authorities specified that the curfew will be in place from 20:30 to 4:00 which will effectively bar people from going outdoors during these hours. The curfew is imposed to control the spread of COVID-19 on the island. 

The curfew comes hand in hand with a spate of safety measures to be imposed on the city. A signed order by the Director General issued today, effectively bars public gatherings such as parties being held in the island. The order also read that people are not to visit households without a necessary reason. Schools gyms and salons are to be immediately closed while sports activities and exercise activities are also to ceased. 

Groups of no more than three people are permitted together and public transport providers and taxi services are also to be provided in accordance with health safety guidelines issued for such services by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). 

Cafes and restaurants are also to cease operations immediately. The order exempts delivery services from such establishments. Shops and banks are also to provide services in accordance with health safety guidelines while universities and colleges, as well as schools, are to cease physical classes. 

The southern city was placed under monitoring mechanisms on Tuesday after two random samples came back positive for COVID-19.

Fuvahmulah Hospital said that they have identified that one of the people who tested positive is a contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19 while in home-quarantine after traveling back from Dubai.

The hospital tested more people linked with the person in question. A total of nine cases have been detected from the island so far. The neighboring city of Addu is also under monitoring mechanisms due to the spread of COVID-19.