Amid worsening Covid-19 situation, HPA extends curfew hours across Maldives capital

At a time Maldives is experiencing the worst Covid-19 wave to date, the government has extended the curfew hours in the Greater Malé Region.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) made the announcement on Tuesday evening, highlighting that the curfew hours will be extended from 4pm to 4am.

This change will take effect on Wednesday and was brought in an effort to curb the virus transmission across the epicenter, which comprises of Malé City, Hulhumalé and Vilimalé.

As movement within the region comprising of capital Malé City, Hulhumalé and Villimalé, Thilafushi and Gulhifalhu, is being restricted for longer hours, individuals may only go out for essential purposes and delivery services for which a permit will be issued through the Maldives Police Service (MPS).

Since the Covid-19 pandemic surfaced in the Maldives on March 7, authorities had been implementing a number of measures as part of the response efforts and announced a three-hour curfew across the region in April 2020. A community transmission was detection in the region on 15 April 2020 which provoked a full lockdown which remained for months before authorities began easing it in phases. The country is currently experiencing a devastating third peak of the virus. Spiking cases provoked a curfew and ban on vehicle movement earlier this year, however, authorities revoked the measures in time for the fasting month of Ramadan 1442 as well as the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee Elections held in mid-April 2021.

Earlier the public health authority imposed a four-hour ban on vehicle movement in the capital region from. Covid-19 measures have been strengthened nationwide in a bid to control the virus and authorities have even revealed that discussions are underway regarding the possibility of introducing a second lockdown.

The capital region was in a state of lockdown during the fasting month last year.