The Director-General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakuru has ordered the closure of gyms, saloons and cinemas in the Greater Male' Region.
The directive issued by the DG said the order will come into effect from May 7, 2021. Action will be taken against facilities that provide services against the directive, it warned.
The COVID-19 situation in the Maldives has been deteriorating over the past few weeks, with the archipelago reporting a record single-day rise in infections over the past 24 hours. 734 cases were registered on Wednesday.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA)on Wednesday announced a curfew in the Greater Male' Area from 9 pm until 4 am. The public will not be allowed to be out and about at this time. However, the police will continue to issue permits for delivery services and other essential needs.
Some other measures taken by authorities include the closure of parks, open spaces, sports grounds, running and swimming tracks. Sports activities and competitions have been stopped, and travel to inhabited and industrial islands have been restricted for purposes other than essential needs. People traveling from Male' to inhabited islands are now required to observe quarantine for ten days despite having received full doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All government offices are also closed and will be providing services online.
