Authorities have temporarily shut down 33 business establishments in violation of the safety guidelines set against the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, on Monday.

This was revealed by Dr. Nazla Rafeeq, the spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC) during Monday night’s press briefing, where she noted that a total of 174 business establishments were inspected on Monday alone.

Out of the 174 total inspections, 40 were conducted at food outlets, nine salons, 123 shops and two markets.

Following inspection, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shut down five salons, 17 shops, 10 food outlets and one market.

In addition, authorities gave 21 business establishments the green light to reopen, after having been closed for violating safety guidelines. This includes seven food outlets, one market, two salons and 11 shops.

On Sunday, the authority temporarily shut down 22 business establishments for violating the guidelines.

The mass public health inspection was initiated last week due to the spike in the number of cases being reported of recent. As such, it was launched a day after Maldives confirmed 100 new Covid-19 cases last Tuesday, which is a record number since the lockdown easing plan was implemented.

Authorities revealed that the inspection revolves around ensuring adherence to Covid-19 safety guidelines of cafés, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, salons and markets, which were opened for services after the initiation of the third phase of the lockdown ease plan on July 1.

The inspection work is being carried out in collaboration with the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Malé City council, Ministry of Economic Development, Maldives Police Service (MPS), Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC), Housing Development Corporation and Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO).