Maldives is to initiate the second phase of lockdown easing from June 15, people will be allowed to go outdoors without permits for about 11 hours during this phase.

The Director General of Public Health on Thursday announced plans to further ease lockdown restrictions from June 15th, after extending the current measures until June 14th.

Shortly after, at the nightly Covid-19 press briefing, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Health Shaina Abdulla announced the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC)’s decision to allow people to go outside without permits from June 15 onward, from 5am to 9:30pm. Police permits will be required to go out after this period.

Public gatherings of more than three people will still be prohibited during the second phase of lockdown easing, despite the decision to reopen parks and public spaces.

Further, shops can allow walk-in customers from 9am to 9pm, but will have to conduct deliveries from 9pm to 11pm. However, restaurants and cafés will only be allowed to open for takeaways and deliveries.

Inter-island travel is to be allowed during this phase as well; there will be no restriction between Covid-19 free islands and domestic airports are to open as well while travel to and from island with Covid-19 cases are to be restricted.

Public transport will also open with new normal measures, while the fish and local markets are to only open “once criteria is met”.

While the capital was placed under lockdown on April 15, phase one of lockdown easing began on May 29. The decision to initiate lockdown easing was announced on May 28, the same day authorities extended the public health emergency declared across the country.