The Ministry of Economy has announced the regions in Addu City in which shops will be allowed to operate round the clock.

Six regions were allocated to allow round the clock businesses by the ministry on Thursday.

The regions in Hithadhoo include the harbor area, regional hospital area and the Hithadoo “Ziyaaraiy Fannu” region.

Shops in the harbor area and the health center in Maradhoo will be allowed to operate 24/7.

Other regions include the harbor area in Maradhoo-Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo, the health center region in Hulhudhoo and Hulhumeedhoo as well as the “herethere channel” region in Hulhudhoo.

Shops and businesses will only be allowed to operate round the clock if they are well-lit and have surveillance cameras in their establishment. The establishment is also required to place a 24/7 board in an easily visible spot.

Shops will only be permitted to sell essentials and the ministry also revealed that the shops must service their customers in all other times except for closing times for prayer.

When allocating neighborhoods and regions, the ministry looked into the population of the region as well as neighborhoods with bigger market places. Initially, the ministry had opened for interested individuals in Addu to forward their requests on 28 February.