As authorities begin the second phase of easing the lockdown in the capital, the government announced that businesses across the Greater Male' Region may open from June 15 onwards.
According to a notice gazetted by the Ministry of Economic Development on Sunday, businesses and retail services in capital Male' and suburbs Villimale' and Hulhumale' may open for customers from 0900 to 2100 hrs. Deliveries may be made until 2200 hrs.
No permits are required to operate within the stated times.
The economic ministry urged all businesses to adhere to the policies and standards established by the Health Protection Agency in providing services during the ease of lockdown measures.
Following the lockdown first declared on April 15, authorities commenced the phased easing of restrictions on May 28, with the second phase beginning on June 15.
The second phase allows movement without permits, with individuals allowed to go out for essential needs between 0500 to 2200 hrs, while senior citizens and children are allowed outside between 0500 to 0800 hrs and 1600 to 1800 hrs respectively. The new phase also saw the reopening of hospitals and clinics as well as parks and open spaces. However, cafes and restaurants are only permitted delivery services between 0900 to 2200 hrs, while prayer congregations are still not allowed in the reopened mosques.
In addition, gatherings of more than three people are strictly prohibited, as well as visits to other people and homes. Spas and salons also remain closed.
As one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Maldives' capital Malé recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the first weeks following the first confirmed local transmission on April 15. However, the number of recoveries recorded daily are now consistently higher than newly confirmed cases.
Maldives presently records a total of 2,035 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 714 are active cases. The country records 1,311 recoveries and eight deaths.W
WHO has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The new strain of novel coronavirus has infected over 7.9 million people and claimed over 435,500 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, 4.1 million people have recovered.
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