Director General of Public Health on Wednesday announced extension on the total lockdown period across Greater Male’ Region.
Public Health DG Maimoona Aboobakur confirmed the decision to extend the lockdown period by an additional 14 day period. The extension serves to assist in flattening the curve of the COVID-19 community spread.
Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed the lockdown extension will become effective on 30 April – the initial deadline for the lockdown. With the extension, the period will last until 14 May.
Greater Male’ Region – consisting of Maldives Capital; Male’ City along with Hulhumale’ and Vilimale’ came under total lockdown on 15 April.
On Wednesday, 15 April, the first positive case of COVID-19 was reported from mainland Male’ region. Initially all preceding cases were discovered from tourist properties.
The discovery of the first positive case in Male’ City alarmed authorities and pushed Maldives government to impose the lockdown.
Since the discovery of the first positive cases in Male’ City, over 150 additional cases have been confirmed from the region with an alarming number of close contacts as per HPA.
Meanwhile, safety and protection authorities have been tasked with keeping peace and safety in the streets of the capital city and neighboring towns.
Public have been greatly restricted in their movement, with the exemption made for specific purposes including essential shopping trips after permit acquisition from Maldives Police Service.
Maldives reports a total of 256 confirmed cases of the virus; with the last batch of cases reported moments before the time of reporting this news.
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