Covid-19: Maldives extends Malé lockdown, enters phase three of ease plan

The Maldives has extended the lockdown declared across the Greater Malé Region to an additional 15 days and initiated the third phase of the lockdown ease plan.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) publicized measures that come under phase three of the lockdown ease plan, revealing that measures are distributed into several phases under the efforts to help the island nation gradually adapt to the new normal.

The measures that come under the new phase include permitting movement in the Greater Malé Region from 5am to 11pm, specific timings for age groups have not been given under the new phase, unlike the previous one.

Only gatherings of less than 30 people are to be allowed in public spaces and individuals are still urged to only go out for essential purposes and when they do, to always maintain a distance of three feet with others.

The guidelines also mandate the use of face masks in all closed spaces as well as public service areas.

Citizens are required to adapt to frequent hand-washing with soap and the use of sanitizers as well as covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.

If Covid-19 symptoms are observed, individuals have been urged to visit the flu clinic immediately, authorities also urge individuals to stay home if they are unwell.

Restrictions for the ongoing month include mass gatherings such as parties and rallies.

Further, islands with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases are not allowed to operate guesthouses as well as open schools including tuition classes and day-care centers for children below the age of 12.

In addition, sports academies and activities for groups of children are not to be authorized.

The Maldives capital went into a full lockdown due to the detection of a Covid-19 community transmission on April 15 and over a month later, authorities began implementing the lockdown ease plan on May 29, in phases.