MALE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) — The government of the Maldives has enforced new lockdown measures including restrictions on vehicle movement and closing times for shops amid the second wave of surging COVID-19 cases, local media reported Monday.
The Health Emergency Operating Center (HEOC) announced that land vehicles would be banned from travelling in the Greater Male Region between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time, with violators facing fines up to 65 U.S. dollars. Pedestrians are allowed to stay outdoors until 10:00 p.m. local time.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said that the restrictions on vehicular movement have been implemented to restrict the movement of young people aged between 20 and 40, who have been the main vectors of a recent surge in COVID-19 infections.
Meanwhile, the government also announced that restaurants and cafes would have to close by 9:30 p.m. local time.
The HPA has said that new restrictions would be applied on a weekly basis based on an assessment of the COVID-19 situation in the country.
The government in Male has continued to crack down on individuals violating anti-epidemic measures. As many as 1,844 people have been fined and 2,444 cautioned by police for violating health guidelines including a 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew implemented in the Greater Male Region.
The government has announced that the third round of mass inspections of private and public establishments will be conducted by the Maldives Police Service in association with the HPA, in order to ensure strict adherence to official health guidelines.
Establishments found violating health guidelines will be closed for up to five days and can face fines up to 65 U.S. dollars. Inspections were first carried out on July 12 and from July 29 to Aug. 8, reviewing 1,390 and 1,545 establishments respectively.
The Maldives currently has 6,779 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 4,222 have recovered and 26 have died.
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