Health Protection Agency (HPA) has lifted the ban on non-essential domestic travel.
HPA restricted travel between islands following an alarming surge in COVID-19 infections earlier in May. In this regard, travel from capital Male' to islands was banned, as well as inter-atoll travel between islands. Essential domestic travel was only permitted between islands after obtaining special permits from the island councils.
At that time, 70 islands were under HPA's monitoring. However, the number of islands under monitoring has now decreased to 57.
The Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) Tuesday said non-essential travel between islands that are not under HPA monitoring is now allowed without a permit. However, travel restrictions for islands with operational guesthouses still remain in effect, said HEOC.
HEOC announced further eases to restrictive measures on Tuesday, including scaling back the curfew hours for Greater Male Region to ten hours. Gyms have been allowed to reopen and takeaway service hours for cafes and restaurants have also been extended.
