830 individuals stranded in the capital due to the lockdown, have been moved to transit quarantine facilities.

Home Minister Imran Abdulla revealed this via Twitter, adding that over 1,800 will be moved before May 24.

While a number of residents from the outlying islands have been stranded in Malé after arriving the city for various purposes, authorities decided to allow them to return home after a 14-day period in transit quarantine facilities as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19.

Seven resorts are being used as such facilities, including in Addu City as well as Dhaalu, Raa and Lhaviyani atolls.

While there have been concern over the delay in sending individuals to home islands, Tourism Minister Ali Waheed stressed that this is not due to lack of resources but because authorities do not want to risk the virus spreading in these communities.

The capital has been on lockdown since April 15 following the detection of a Covid-19 community spread and unauthorized travel between islands was prohibited shortly after.