Police step up patrols to enforce social distancing

Maldives Police Service, on Thursday, announced it has stepped up patrols, and will be sending people found to be out on the streets without a clear purpose home, as Maldives enters day one of the one-week closure of all government offices to facilitate social distancing ordered by the President in an effort to prevent a potential outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.

13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Maldives, all of whom are foreign nationals who were either working or vacationing in resorts or safaris. Of the 13 people, five were from Kuredu Island Resort, two from Sandies Bathala, two from Kuramathi Island Resort, two from Anantara Dhigu, and two from Island Safari-1.

Maldives, on March 12, announced a 30-day state of public health emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since taken multiple measures aimed at containing and preventing a potential outbreak, and mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic.

As one such measure, government offices will be closed from March 19 to 26, and the President’s Office has ordered all government employees to remain home except for emergencies and gaining access to essential needs.

At a press conference on Thursday morning, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen said the police had begun enforcing social distancing, and will be questioning people found out on the streets, and sending home the people who are out without a valid purpose.

“To advise people in the streets of Male’ for non-essential purposes to cooperate with the police and other stakeholders in this effort and stay at home,” explained Naveen.

He urged everyone to adhere to the instructions of the authorities to prevent the spread of the virus.

The police are also engaged in maintaining security at quarantine and isolation facilities, conducting contact tracing, and monitoring inbound and outbound marine vessels in the Greater Male’ Area.

“We are also taking action against, and investigating people who violate the orders issued by the Director General of Public Health,” said Naveen.

The police are investigating two such cases.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Abdulla Fairoosh added that the police were also engaged in efforts outside the capital in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The police will also enforce social distancing in other islands, he said.

“From today onwards, if too many people are gathered at public parks or sitting in public joali’s in the islands, we will advise them and send them home,” said Fairoosh.