City Council changes business hours of local markets

Male’ City Council has informed there will be restrictions on the business hours of Local Markets regulated by the Council.

The City Council said, following the declaration of a public health emergency by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) due to the escalation of COVID-19 across the globe, it has been decided to change business hours of the local markets under the Council, effective from tomorrow.

The Health Protection Agency also has revealed on Tuesday night, effective from Thursday restrictions will be imposed on the business hours of shops, cafes and restaurants.

HPA said the shops in Male’, the suburbs Villimale’ and Hulhumale’ should remain closed between 2300 hrs to 0600 hrs. While most of the shops voluntarily close during those hours even now, few shops in Male’ region still operate during the mentioned hours. Furthermore, construction work must not be carried out between 1700 to 0600 hrs.

Restrictions also apply to take-away services of cafes and restaurants in Male’ region between 1200 hrs to 0600 hrs. Currently, dine-in services of cafes and restaurants of Male’ area are banned.

Changed business hours of the Markets
• Male’ Local Market: 0600 to 1600 hours
• Male’ Travelers Market: 0600 to 1600 hours
• Male’ Fish Market: 0600 to 1600 hours
• Villimale’ Local Market: 0600 to 1600 hours

Male’ City Council has ordered the local market business operators and the public to follow the new business hours.

The government has been taking stringent measures following the detection of COVID-19 in the Maldives. In that regard, the government has declared a public health emergency in the Maldives. And the issuance of on-arrival visas has been suspended. Schools and government offices have been closed until the end of next week. Dine-in services offered in cafes and restaurants in the Male’ region has also been suspended.

Furthermore, while congregational prayers in mosques have been ceased temporarily, gyms, cinemas, and recreational facilities have been closed in the Male’ region.

The total number of people who have tested positive in the Maldives is now 19. This includes two Italians that have departed from the country. While 13 people, all foreigners, have recovered from the illness, the only active cases at the moment are that of the four locals.