Maldives lifts ban on non-essential domestic travel

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has lifted the ban on non-essential domestic travel imposed due to the surge in COVID-19 cases last May.

Maldives strengthened restrictive measures, especially in the congested greater Male’ region, following a surge in COVID-19 cases last May. Authorities offered a slight ease in measures in the capital last week, including shortening the curfew, reopening mosques for individual worshippers, and allowing people four hours to go out unaccompanied for exercise.

President’s spokesperson Mabrook Azeez announced further easements in a press conference this Tuesday.

He said that starting Wednesday, people will be allowed to travel between islands that aren’t under monitoring without a special permit.

However, the travel restrictions in place on islands with operational guesthouses will continue to stand, said Mabrook.

Maldives imposed a ban on non-essential domestic travel between residential islands except for Male’, Hulhumale’, Vilimale’, Thilfushi and Gulhifalhu on May 4.

People were allowed to continue to travel from the greater Male’ region to other islands as long as they underent mandatory 10 days of quarantine in accordance with existing travel guidelines.

Additional easements announced on Tuesday include shortening curfew hours in the greater Male’ region to 18:00-04:00 hours, and allowing gyms to reopen.