The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has banned all public gatherings and other social events.
It is a traditional Maldivian custom to hold special 'Maahefun' gatherings to celebrate the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, and take dips in the water ahead of the month of fasting. However, the current situation in the Maldives does not allow for such recreational activities, HPA said on Thursday.
An announcement issued by HPA said all public gatherings and recreational activities, including swimming will be banned across the Maldives effective from 1800 hrs on Friday.
The announcement further announced inter-island travel will be banned as an added precautionary measure against COVID-19, as several people who had direct contact with a positive patient have traveled to the atolls. However, cargo supply arrangements will be made in liaison with the island councils, the government said.
While the total number of infections identified in the Maldives have now reached 25, five people have tested positive in capital Male'. Local transmission has now been confirmed, and Male' city has been placed on a 24-hour lockdown which will likely be extended. Over 22 homes across the archipelago have been placed on lockdown as contact tracing continues.
