Employees onboard safaris near capital city Malé’s suburban district Hulhumalé have begun rallying just outside of Hulhumalé harbor.

The protests began from the suburb’s jetty region on Tuesday evening and protestors gathered on dinghies just outside of the harbor.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) released a statement shortly after photo showing the safari workers gathered on dinghies to rally outside of Hulhumalé began circulating on social media.

The police statement reads that the protest is against the Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Aboobakur’s orders at a time a state of public health emergency has been announced across the entire island nation.

MPS said that it will not allow such protests at a time of public health emergency, said the authority.

The authority has appealed the public to adhere to the legal mandate during these trying times.

Police officers are currently active in the region where safari workers are protesting.

The region has been closed off to the public.