By the time authorities began implementing the lockdown easing plan on Thursday, a total of 338 individuals were taken into police custody.

The total of individuals taken into police custody for breaching the lockdown is at 338, out of which 299 are from Malé, 36 from Hulhumalé and three from Villimalé.

While the 44-day lockdown period came to an end on Thursday, the authorities are carrying out the ease plan, in phases.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed via its daily publication of lockdown violations on Friday morning that the number of lockdown violations recorded on Thursday is less in comparison to the lockdown violations reported the previous day.

As such, action was taken on 138 individuals on Thursday, out of which 118 are fines and 20 are arrests.

On Thursday, police officers patrolling the streets of the Greater Malé Region imposed fines on 98 from Malé, 19 from Hulhumalé and one from Villimalé.

With this, the total number of fines imposed until now reaches 5,930 out of which 5,166 are from Malé, 657 from Hulhumalé and 107 from Villimalé.

Out of the 20 arrests made on Thursday, 18 were from the capital and two were from Hulhumalé, no arrests were made in Villimalé.

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

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. Authorities continue to issue permits, to three individuals from each households, even now.

On Thursday, authorities revealed that they have sent some of the lockdowion violations cases for prosecution