President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has extended the government holidays until May 28.

In a statement released on Friday, the President’s Office noted that this is being done in order to enforce 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 expired on May 14. On Wednesday, it was extended again to another fortnight, set to expire on May 28.

As such the 15th directive issued by the President’s Office notes that government offices, schools and educational institutions across the Maldives will be closed 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 after the public holidays were declared on March 19, due to the Covid-19 crisis. 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 have limited the number of staff reporting to work and continue providing essential services without interruption include;