Nearly MVR six million worth of fines for Covid-19 safety violations

The total amount of penalties for Covid-19 safety violations is almost at MVR six million.

Multiple measures have been imposed in the capital region as part of the work to control the spread of the virus in the island nation, including a curfew, vehicle movement restriction hours and a face mask mandate.

At Saturday night’s Covid-19 press briefing, police’s Chief Superintendent Abdulla Shareef revealed that total of 1,798 people have been fined thus far for breaching the mask mandate imposed on August 1, while 2,195 have been fined for violating the 10pm curfew order.

While first time violators are let go with a warning, Shareef said that 3,677 people were given warnings for violating the mask order and 4,633 for breaching curfew order.

Furthermore, he also said that there has been an increase in vehicles seen on the streets during prohibited hours. As such, a total of 4,321 people were let go with a warning while 781 were fined.

Noting that some businesses continue deliveries after 8pm despite the vehicle movement restriction order until 5am, Shareef said that such carelessness could lead to the situation worsening.

Expressing concern over the increase in Covid-19 safety violations, the police official appealed to all abide by them all to assist in the work to control the spread of the virus.

Those found in violation of Covid-19 safety rules face a fine of MVR 1,000.

While all three measures were imposed in August after a surge in cases were seen in the capital region the previous month after the country entered the third phase of lockdown easing, there has been a gradual decrease in daily new cases in recent days.