Southernmost Addu City’s Hithadhoo district has been placed under lockdown in a bid to curb the it’s growing coronavirus outbreak.

Addu Emergency Operations Centre said that the measures imposed in Addu are the same as capital Male’. While the curfew in the capital was eased to 4pm to 4am from Wednesday, residents still require permits to go out even during non-curfew hours. Two residential permits are issued to each house, divided into two sessions.

While the same measures have been imposed in Hithadhoo, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar at a press conference on Tuesday said that the decision was made after seeing the Covid-19 situation worsen in the past few days with the virus continuing to spread rapidly among the expatriate population.

Noting that they had been working on easing restrictions, Nizar said that the virus cannot be controlled “without undertaking the necessary measures”.

During the lockdown, restaurants and cafes will be allowed to provide delivery services until 21:00. Further, while those attending work are also required to obtain a permit from the police including those in fisheries and agricultural sectors.

Addu City is divided into six districts which are naturally islands, but are well connected. Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo and Feydhoo are connected. Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo are connected, but a separate island from the other four.

While Addu City has confirmed a total of 382 Covid-19 cases thus far, there are currently 82 active cases. Out of this, 77 are from Hithadhoo district.

Two people have died from Covid-19 in the city.