The government has announced the decision to close all state institutions and offices for the rest of the week.

The decision was made in light of the ever-changing situation of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and comes amid an alarming increase in cases, by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday.

As such, government offices are to remain closed from August 4 – 6.

During this period, state employees have been urged to continue working from home and services are to be provided uninterruptedly through online platforms.

Further, the 11th and 12th directives issued by the President’s Office earlier this year are still in effect, revealed the office.

Authorities initially closed government offices and institutions on March 19 amid the increasing Covid-19 fears, for a week. This was extended over months.

In late May, the government reopened state institutions that provide essential services for the people, partially.

The president had urged employees who are able to provide their services through online platforms to continue to do so at home, even then.

On July 5, the government officially reopened state institutions, under a set of safety and health measures required to be adapted upon the reopening of government offices.

Following the reopening of government offices, the country observed an alarming increase in cases of recent and the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) revealed that most of the cases being reported of recent are from government offices.