141 people fined for failure to wear mask

141 people have been fined for failure to wear masks in public locations in the Maldivian capital, amid an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases.

The surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted Health Protection Agency (HPA) to strengthen restrictions in the greater Male’ area, including a curfew from 21:00 to 04:00 hours.

Police have been deployed to enforce the restrictions, taking action against people who violate the mandatory mask order and the curfew order.

In a press conference by Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) on Monday, President’s spokesperson Mabrook Azeez said 141 people were fined for violating the mask order, and 116 pedestrians and 10 drivers were fined for violating the curfew order on Monday alone.

The fine for violation of both the mask order and the curfew order is MVR 1,000.

HPA states 729 new cases were recorded between 18:00 hours Sunday to 18:00 hours Monday. Maldives currently has 10,376 active cases. 244 of the patients are hospitalized, while 84 have died from complications.