The Ministry of Economic Development has brought changes to the timing businesses are allowed to operate in the Greater Malé Region, as the country enters phase three of the Covid-19 lockdown ease plan.

This comes at a time the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that they have entered phase three of the lockdown ease plan starting July 1, to ease restrictions placed due to the State of Public Health Emergency declared under the Public Health Protection Act of the Maldives

In a publication on Wednesday morning via the government gazette, the ministry revealed that shops will be permitted to remain open for services from 9am to 10pm under the guidelines of phase three of the lockdown ease plan which was initiated on Wednesday.

In addition, restaurants, cafés and other food outlets will be allowed to operate from 5am to 10pm, with the new phase allowing dine-in services. Dine-in services are allowed from 9am to 10pm. Food outlets are allowed to conduct delivery services between 9am and 11pm.

All food outlets being run in the Greater Malé Region -including Malé, Hulhumalé and Villimalé- will be allowed to operate during these hours, as well as local shops.

Businesses have been urged to adhere to all the instructions and guidelines set by the HPA when opening their doors for general services.

During this timing, businesses will not be required to get additional permits to operate.

Further, restaurants and cafés must display the maximum number of customers allowed inside the premises at once and enforce social distancing. Customers and staff should wear masks inside the premises, at all times.