Following the declaration of a state of public health emergency across the entire Maldives on Thursday, authorities have halted visits to all prisons.

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) announced this via a statement on Thursday, which states that this was taken as a measure of safeguard for the employees at prison facilities and inmates alike.

The halt is temporary.

In addition, the corrections service highlighted that families of inmates will not be allowed to bring in attires and clothing for them during the period either.

Despite the halt, they have decided to extend the duration of phone calls for inmates in order to ensure them bonding with their families is not hindered.

This comes at a time health experts have urged the public to refrain from holding large gatherings, with the government declaring that work is underway to make arrangements for employees at government offices as well as private companies, to work at home.