The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has received over 8,000 applications for permits to go outdoors, at a time the authorities have begun implementing the lockdown ease plan from Friday onward.

This was revealed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr. Abdulla Fairoosh via Twitter, where he wrote that over 8,000 individuals had applied for permits within a very short period.

As the lockdown easing process is implemented, residents of the Greater Malé Region are requested to seek permits if they wish to go out for essentials. This opportunity will be provided to three individuals from each household and each individual will get a two-hour period to run errands.

A number of individuals have since requested for permits and a lot of people have been raising concern over the delay in approval.

Responding to this, Dr. Fairoosh wrote that they had to change their software, which caused the delay.

Highlighting that this is no excuse for the delay, the Assistant Police Commissioner stated that they are trying to process the applications as soon as possible.

During the lockdown period, individuals were given a one-hour period to go out for essentials and the protocols to operate services at local shops have also been amended. As such, shops will be open from 9am to 9pm every day.