After two months of being under lockdown, the government of Maldives prepares to ease the restrictions in Greater Male’ Area. From 15th June 2020 onwards, people can move around in the Greater Male’ Region without any permits between 05:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs.
The government of Maldives has been preparing to ease the lockdown measures in phases. Effective from 15th June 2020, phase II of easing restrictions will allow citizens outside without any permits between 05:00 hrs and 22:00 hrs. Children can be outside with an accompanying adult between 16:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs while the elderly will only be permitted outside for early morning walks between 05:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs.
Government offices will be allowed to open four days a week; Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and private companies may resume operations on 15th June 2020. Moreover yet public gathering of more than three persons and visiting homes of family or friends will not be allowed in this phase. Maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, as well as arrangement of hand sanitizing mechanism in all entry points of businesses will still be mandatory.
All transportation services require to comply with the new guidelines issued by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Travelling to and from Greater Male’ Region and other islands where cases of COVID-19 has been seen, will continue to be restricted.
Following the first known case of COVID-19 in Male’ City, the ongoing lockdown measures were imposed in Greater Male’ Area. Maldives has recorded 2,003 cases of COVID-19 and out of which, 1,193 individuals have made full recoveries so far, while 08 individuals died from the virus.
Hopeful of resuming tourism operations in July, Maldives has been preparing to restart the operations of the tourism sector. On 30th May 2020, the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism released a statement regarding plans to reopen boarders for visitors in July 2020. It stated that the guests arriving will not be charged of any additional fees in order to enter into Maldives. A draft guideline for safe tourism was also introduced by the Ministry of Tourism, defining the uniform health and safety protocols that needs to be implemented to ensure the wellbeing and safety of the travellers. The one island, one resort concept in Maldives makes it possible to observe social distancing measures for a safe holiday.
