Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed has stated Maldives Police Service (MPS) is acting in accordance with the instructions given by Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Responding to concerns on social media about police officers patrolling the streets without wearing masks, Commissioner Hameed said the current situation does not require police officers to wear surgical masks. He said MPS is acting in accordance with the instructions given by HPA, adding police officers will begin wearing masks if instructed by HPA following a community spread situation.
Commissioner Hameed revealed 112 frontline officers and 50 commissioner-rank officers are active in patrolling the streets of Male', Hulhumale' and Villimale' during the lockdown hours imposed by the government. The commissioner thanked the cooperation from the public to the lockdown, although noting a large number of people are observed to be on the streets immediately after the lockdown hours. He advised the public to remain indoors as much as possible in order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
The commissioner also revealed a police contingent is currently active in Kuredu Island Resort, where COVID-19 was first reported in Maldives. He said the contingent is in Kuredu for an investigation which was ordered by the Prosecutor General, adding the island does not currently have a risk of COVID-19.