No more warnings, lockdown violators will be fined

Maldives Police Service has said that those in violation of the lockdown orders will not be given any warnings from now on and would be fined immediately.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner of Police Abdul Mannaan Yoosuf in a news conference tonight.

“If the individual has a permit but is in the wrong location, no one will be exempt from this.” Said the Deputy Commissioner.

Police have previously announced that violations of the lockdown order will be met with a fine MVR 1000.

He added that permits will be given for essential tasks which will be limited to a specific location and time. These essential tasks include stocking up on food. The deputy commissioner also stated that permits were being misused and the Police would crack down on such activities as well.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdulla Phairoosch, speaking at the press conference said that 39 people were fined up until last night for such violations. No one has been arrested so far and the assistant commissioner said that people would have to go on foot to obtain the necessary items when a permit is issued.

The capital of Male' City has been placed under lockdown for 14-days following the confirmed cases of Covid-19. The remainder of the country is also in a state of lockdown until further notice and travel between islands have also been temporariluy banned. 

Maldives has confirmed 52 cases of the virus so far.