The government has extended the public holidays until May 14.

In a statement released on Thursday, the President’s Office noted that this is being done in order to implement the lockdown order by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The 24-hour lockdown was initially imposed on April 15, extended to 24 hours on April 16 and to a fortnight on April 17. Upon expiration of the 14-day period, the government extended the lockdown to another 14 days, which is set to expire on May 14.

As such, government offices, schools and educational institutions across the Maldives will be closed from May 3 – 14 during the lockdown.

All government employees have been advised to work according to the 11th directive of the President’s Office issued earlier this year, which directs civil servants to work from home as the public holidays were declared on 19 March, due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Further, the statement also reads that the 12th directive issued by the office is also in effect.

Since March 19, government offices and educational institutes have been closed, however, all essential services are being provided with a minimum number of staff on the front lines to ensure these services continue without any interruption.

This was done as a precautionary measure in light of the current situation across the Maldives amid ever-increasing fears of the pandemic.

Some of the companies that are to limit the number of staff reporting to work and continue providing essential services without interruption include;