The number of individuals slapped with fines for violating the face mask mandate, has surpassed 500.

Spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Nazla Rafeeq revealed during Thursday night’s press briefing that a total of 136 individuals had violated the face mask mandate within the 24 hours.

As such, a total of 83 individuals were let go after a warning, while fines were imposed on 53 individuals.

In addition, Dr. Nazla revealed that a total of 159 individuals were caught in violation of the curfew imposed across the Greater Malé Region.

65 out of the 159 individuals who violated the curfew order on Thursday were fined while the remaining were let go after issuing a warning.

In early August, authorities made it mandatory to wear face masks in public spaces following an announcement by the President’s Office, in order to help authorities’ control and contain the spread of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Only children below the age of two, those seeking services at food outlets and individuals out for physical activities such as running and exercising, are exempt from the mandate.

On August 1, police began enforcing the mandate strictly and those caught violating the mandate will be fined by MVR 1,000.

Authorities imposed a seven-hour curfew in the Greater Malé Region on August 4, effective between 10pm and 5am as part of the stricter measures being introduced in light of the rising cases of the global pandemic in the Maldives, which has left a wave of concern in its wake.

This comes at a time have stressed that avoiding a second lockdown is “in everyone’s interest”.