Changes to shop, café and restaurant opening hours in capital

Economic Ministry has announced changes to the opening hours of shops and food establishments such as cafes and restaurants in the Maldivian capital – which have been restricted to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The new changes to opening hours are effective starting this Wednesday to end of June.

According to the Economic Ministry, food establishments such as cafes and restaurants will be allowed to open for takeaway and delivery services from 08:00-18:00 hours. And delivery services will be permitted from 06:00-00:00 hours with permission from police.

Meanwhile, shops will be allowed to open for customers from 08:00-18:00 hours.

Business establishments such as shops, cafes and restaurants that require more permits for employees than the limit set through the police portal have been instructed to email requests for permits to [email protected].

Economic Ministry stressed in the announcement that business establishments are required to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines.

The changes to opening hours of business establishments comes with new easements in COVID-19 restrictions rolled out this Wednesday, including shortening curfew hours in the capital to 18:00-04:00 hours, allowing gyms to reopen, and lifting the ban on non-essential travel between residential islands that aren’t under monitoring.

While changes have been made to opening hours of cafes and restaurants, dine-in services continue to be banned.