Lockdown on Male' City extended

The lockdown order on the capital Male' City has been extended by three days.

The city was placed under full lockdown and curfew on April 15 after a community case of COVID-19 was identified. Almost two months have passed since then, and the order has once again been extended to expire on June 14. 

The order signed by the Director-General of Public Health Maimoonaa Aboobakuru reads that the extension was up until Sunday after which, new easements would be rolled out for the public.

Until then, civilians would be restricted from outdoor activities and public transport services would also be suspended. Movement of people from Male’ Hulhumale’, Vilimale’ Gulhifalhu and Thilafushi would also be restricted.

Previous easements remain unchanged! They are:

• Increase in the number of people permitted outdoors to three adults per household on two days per week
• Increase in the amount of time allocated for people outdoors to two hours.
• Zones allocated for people outdoors expanded. 
• Elderly individuals aged above 60 permitted outdoors from 5:00 to 8:00 in the morning.
• Supermarkets, bakeries, shops selling children’s items, pharmacies, corner shops, bookshops, and hardware stores permitted to reopen.
• Mobile phone shops, electronic equipment shops, clothing shops, sporting equipment shops, cosmetics shops, and shops selling items produced in the Maldives permitted for online sales.
• Delivery services, automobiles, electronic repair, and workshops permitted to reopened.
• Fish market permitted reopened.
• Banking services permitted. 
• Takeaway and delivery services from restaurants and cafes permitted.
• Individuals can attend Flu clinics to obtain services.
• Private companies can re-open offices with the permission of the Economic Ministry and Male’ City Council under special arrangements.
• Under special arrangements and permits from Housing Ministry and Male’ City Council, Construction works recommenced.
• Increase in health services.
• Increased permits issued for the transport of cargo and goods between Male’ and Thilafushi.
• Industrial workers permitted to attend work and return back home.
• Taxi services permitted for the transport of people.

Members of the security services and law enforcement officials (MNDF and Police) will be exempt from any restrictions of the lockdown. Health workers and officials as well as employees of health institutions in the country, ambulances, ambulance drivers, and those with an issued permit as well as media personnel with an issued permit from the National Emergency Operations Center will also be exempt from any restrictions. 

The state of Public Health Emergency in the country is set to expire on June 29.