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COVID-19: Male' city curfew violators face fines up to MVR 1000

Rae Munavvar
02 April 2020, MVT 11:45
In the wake of COVID-19 even the roads of one of the world's most densely populated areas, Male' City, are more deserted than usual. On Wednesday, HPA introduced a curfew banning city-wide movement during evening hours, as a further measure to prevent the COVID-19 infecting or spreading within the community. Thus far, no local transmissions have been reported. PHOTO: MIHAARU
Rae Munavvar
02 April 2020, MVT 11:45

Maldives Police Service confirmed late Wednesday that individuals found violating the curfew imposed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), that comes into effect 1200 hours on Thursday, will be fined.

Under section 91 of the Public Health Act (7/2012), infected persons or persons suspected of infection must follow the instructions of the relevant authorities.

In the case of refusal or violations, a case can be filed against the person at the Civil Court, for which a court order can be enforced by the Police.

Furthermore, individuals found in violation of the regulations set forth by HPA under the state of public health emergency can be fined up to a maximum of MVR 1000.

The curfew announced on Wednesday by HPA's Director-General Maimoona Aboobakuru, restricts movement across the greater Male' region between 1700 to 2000 hrs, prohibiting gatherings of more than three persons during non-curfew hours, and comes into effect 1200 hours on Thursday.

Certain individuals and vehicles, including security forces, law enforcement officials, law enforcement vehicles, employees of hospitals, health care service providers, health service vehicles, employees of pharmacies and their vehicles, WAMCO employees, WAMCO vehicles, government-issued vehicles, diplomatic vehicles, official HPA vehicles, individuals with clearance from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and uniformed employees of Ooredoo, Dhiraagu, banks, State Trading Organisation (STO), Male' Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC), State Electric Company (STELCO) as well as their vehicles, are all exempt from the aforementioned curfew for formal purposes only.

In addition to the curfew, HPA ordered all retail outlets and stores in Male', Vilimale' and Hulhumale' to remain closed between 2300 and 0600 hrs while cafes and restaurants in the region are instructed to stop providing takeaway services from 0000 to 1600 hrs.HPA also ordered the halt of construction work at sites in the greater Male' region from 1700 hrs to 0600 hrs.

These measures are declared under the rights afforded to the Health Protection Agency under the state of Public Health Emergency that was announced on March 12.

The cabinet's decision to extend the closure of government institutions, schools colleges and universities for another week as a preventative measure against COVID-19 was announced late Tuesday.

Presently, Maldives records 19 confirmed and six active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 13 recoveries. While there are two confirmed cases of Maldivians, no local to local transmissions have been recorded.

The World Health Organization has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected over 935,100 people and claimed over 47,150 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 193,980 people have recovered.

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