Authorities have decided to further restrict movement of people across greater Malé region as part of the efforts to control the spread of Covid-19.

As such, the Health Emergency Operations Centre at Saturday night’s Covid-19 press briefing revealed the decision to restrict vehicle movements in the greater Malé region from 8pm to 5am, starting from Sunday. However, people will be allowed outside until curfew time at 10pm.

A curfew was announced in the capital region on August 4, days after face masks were made compulsory in public.

This decision was announced a day after the country reported nearly 200 new Covid-19 cases. While a total of 194 cases were announced on Friday, HEOC spokesperson Dr. Nazla Rafeeq said that nearly 1,000 new infections were detected within last week.

She said that the vehicle ban is part of the work to control movement of people.

At the press briefing, police’s head of Malé City Abdulla Shareef said that Covid-19 frontline officers will be strictly enforcing this. While a first-time offender will be let go with a warning, Shareef said that repeat offenders will be fined and ultimately get their vehicles towed.

Afterwards, the vehicle will only be released after paying the required fine.

Despite the 8pm to 5am vehicle ban, taxis will be allowed to operate.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said that reason from the vehicle restriction is to control the movement and social activities of youth, adding that most of the infections were recorded within this group.

While Maldives confirmed a Covid-19 community spread in mid-April, this led to an immediate lockdown. While authorities began lockdown easing on May 29, the country entered the third phase on July 1. There has been a surge in cases since.

The state of public health emergency announced on March 12 has been extended until September 6.