The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced the decision to allow mass gatherings and ceremonies, under the new eases to Covid-19 restrictions announced on Thursday.

According to a publication in the government gazette on Thursday night, HPA has given the green light to host gatherings, events and ceremonies from Sunday onwards.

However, all parties have been urged to strictly adhere to safety guidelines and instructions when hosting ceremonies. Ceremonies and events are to be hosted under the guidelines specified by the public health authority as the risk of Covid-19 is still present.

Further, sports events and activities have also been allowed starting Sunday.

According to the Covid-19 restrictions that were in effect earlier, gathering of more than 30 individuals were not allowed.

The government responded to the first case of Covid-19 community transmission in the Greater Malé Region by implementing a full lockdown for a little over a month. Although the lockdown was proven to be effective in curbing the spread of the infection in the epicenter of the virus, once the lockdown was lifted in late May, cases began spiraling once again, as individuals began attending gatherings and other events.

As the lockdown is being lifted in phases, eases are gradually being introduced to the Malé region.

Maldives active Covid-19 case count is at 535 currently, with cases seeing a steady decline over the past few days.