Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem on Monday warned that quarantined or isolated persons being out in public in violation of protocol constitutes a criminal offence.
He issued the warning in a tweet addressing recent concerns raised that some individuals who have been placed under home isolation, amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, were violating protocols.
Referring to the Penal Code of Maldives, PG Shameen highlighted that any person who recklessly creates substantial risk of injury or death to another has committed a crime. He warned that should a person, placed under quarantine or isolation for exhibiting COVID-19 like symptoms, mingles with the public, it will constitute a reckless act of putting others at such risk.
According to the Penal Code, the offence of recklessly creating substantial risk of bodily injury or death to another is a Class 1 felony, carrying a sentence of four months and 24 days in prison.
If the act is committed under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, the offence is graded as a Class 4 felony with a sentence of one year, seven months and six days.
Currently, there are 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maldives, including nine Italians, a Turk, a German, a South African and an English national.
No locals have tested positive for the virus to date.
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