Action was taken on 200 lockdown violators on Monday

Maldives Police Service (MPS) took action on 200 lockdown violations recorded on Monday.

The authority revealed via its daily publication of lockdown violations on Tuesday morning, that the number is 40 less in comparison to the over 200 lockdown violations reported the previous day.

Police officers patrolling the streets of Malé imposed fines on 188 individuals on Monday, whereas the number was at 234 on Sunday.

Additionally, 12 individuals were arrested on Monday, which is twice the number arrested the previous day.

With this development, the total number of individuals under police custody for violating the lockdown order, has risen to 294.

Since the Maldives capital Malé City was locked down on April 15 following the detection of the first ever Covid-19 community transmission, police had been issuing daily permits for individuals to go out for essential supplies. However, individuals are now limited from going out for essentials, to once a week.

The lockdown was initially set to end on May 14, however, authorities pushed it to another fortnight and the lockdown will remain in effect until May 28.

Under the orders of the Director General of Public Health, first time violators of the lockdown will be slapped with MVR 1,000 fines and repeat offenders will be arrested under Article 533 (a) of the Penal Code.

Authorities have continuously been pushing the public to obey guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) for the safety and security of the community, stressing that the entire community is put at risk of contracting the virus due to a number of individuals who do not follow instructions set by the authorities for the safety of the community.