Authorities ban gatherings of more than 10 people in capital

Authorities have banned gatherings of no more than ten people in public in the capital Male' City as part of attempts to control the spread of COVID-19. 

The number of cases detected in the capital has spiked since the run of the year, leading to health officials describing the situation as dire. Currently, officials are warning that the nation was at its limit in terms of health capacity as case numbers soar. 

A signed order by the Director-General of Public Health issued a short while ago reads that gatherings of people are to be limited to ten people at a time. The order covers the regions of the Greater Male Area which includes Hulhumale' Male' and the Vilimale'.

The order also read that Maldives Police Service would take action against any violations of the directive. The signed order comes a few hours after the opposition political parties held protests in the capital.

The Maldives has confirmed case numbers above 100 since the early days of January. 120 new cases were confirmed tonight as well.