The cafés newly designed in Maafannu ward of capital city Malé do not cater to the use of tobacco and fit into the state’s criteria to authorize it.

RaajjeMV understands that the state’s regulations dictate that only cafés and restaraunts with a serving space of over 400 square feet can and have an open and roofless spaces are authorized to utilize them as smoking areas.

The Health Protection Agency, run under the government, has reached out to the State Trading Organization over the matter, although an offiical word on this is yet unstated.

The food court consists of spaces in three sizes; cafés that are 960 square feet, 1,260 square feet, and 1,660 square feet – although they are thus far reportedly to be only partitioned lightly and covered.

Last Thursday, an official from the organization said they opened bidding last month as well, which was closed due to ‘lack of support’.

The official further said that process is ongoing again and that ideally, outlets at the court will start serving within January.

The court has room for thirteen cafés, newly developed by a company operated by the military, and have all been finished but are yet to be furnished.

The STO has attested to having delays in the project, reportedly due to problems involving floor-planning and design.