A total of 48 homeless individuals have been provided temporary shelter, after being discovered on the streets during the government-imposed 24-hour lockdown on Wednesday.

This was revealed by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) via Twitter on Thursday evening.

As such, police revealed that the total amount includes two Maldivian women, 44 Maldivian men and two expatriates.

The rescue was part of the efforts in cooperation with the Maldives Red Crescent and the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services. As such, the ministry coordinated with the Islamic and education ministries to provide food and shelter for the homeless on Wednesday night.

Officers patrolling Maafannu district of the capital also provided food for the homeless, arranged by the government.

Authorities have also established a “Police Situation Room” the people can reach out to for urgent needs for essentials.

The lockdown was announced on Wednesday following the discovery of the first community transmission case from a house in the capital, three people have tested positive in Malé since. It has since been extended to another 24 hours.