Curfew on Male' City lifted, easements introduced

The government of Maldives has lifted the curfew imposed on the capital from 23:00 to 4:00 due to COVID-19.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) made the announcement along with a number of easements introduced to the COVID-19 safety measures in the capital. The curfew was reimposed in the capital on February 2, after an increase in cases following the turn of the year.

The easements introduced include: 

• Lifting the curfew of 23:00 to 4:00 in the capital.
• Reopening pre-schools, nurseries, and daycare centers in line with HPA guidelines.
• Reopening gyms, aerobics classes in line with HPA guidelines. 
• Reopening of Universities, colleges for physical classes. 
• Reopening of running tracks. 
• Re-assigning the opening hours for café and restaurants and other such establishments to the relevant authorities. 
• Reopening of movie theaters and cinemas in line with HPA guidelines. 

Apart from these easements, some measures are still to be kept in place such as a ban on public gatherings of more than five people, mandatory negative PCR test of 72 hours required for internal travel, cease of sports activities, ban on parties and ceremonies, Mandatory quarantine for internal travel, Mandatory quarantine of ten days for individuals (except tourists) returning to the Maldives. 

The order was signed by the Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru. 

The Director has previously indicated that easements could be introduced for the holy month of Ramadan. Despite the easements, cases still remain high in the nation with more than 240 cases confirmed yesterday alone. Male' City confirmed 73 new cases yesterday.