According to the Penal Code of Maldives, violating quarantine and facilitating the spread of a disease is a criminal offence, says Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem.

The PG's statement comes after reports that those being placed under isolation are not following authorities' instructions.

Similarly, many members of the public expressed concern after rumours surfaced claiming that two locals from Island Safari 1, where two positive Covid-19 cases were found, had disembarked onto Fuvahmulah City.

Responding to citizens' concerns on social media, PG Shameem stated that reckless endangerment is a criminal offence under section 120 (e) of the Maldives' Penal Code of Maldives.

This law states that putting others at risk of "serious bodily injury or death" is against the law. Shameem went onto add that the offence is ranked as a Class four felony if the "circumstances manifest an extreme indifference to the value of human life".

Violating this law results in a minimum prison sentence of one year, seven months and six days whereas the maximum sentence is four years.