The curfew declared across Kulhudhuffushi City has been lifted.

The city council cited the Covid-19 task force stationed in the city, having reached the decision upon the government’s decision to allow congregational prayers in islands where there have been no Covid-19 cases.

Residents in such islands have been urged to follow the instructions of health experts when gathering for congregational prayers, following the retraction of the curfew, however, as Kulhudhuffushi City is among the list of islands where congregational prayers are to remain halted, congregational prayers remain halted in the city until further notice by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.

Despite the curfew being lifted, the protocols being followed when travelling to other islands will remain the same and residents are also not allowed to go to public parks and locations where public tend to gather on the island.

The residents have also been urged by the council to maintain social distancing and hygienic practices although the curfew has been lifted.

Further, the council expressed gratitude to the residents for their cooperation during the curfew period.

The Covid-19 task force in Kulhudhuffushi City imposed the curfew across the city on April 21, under the orders of Director General of Public Health Maimoona Aboobakuru, amid fears of a possible community spread. It was to end on April 24, however, it was extended several times round and was set to end on May 23.

The City Council revealed that a lockdown came under orders of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) following the risk of the disease spreading among the community and in light of the current situation in the city. As such, some cases have been emerging from northern islands of recent, even in Kulhudhuffushi.

Authorities earlier banned travel between all inhabited islands and declared a lockdown across the Greater Malé Region on April 15, which was to remain until May 14 but the government extended it to another fortnight, set to end on May 28.