President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ordered to close all government offices from April 19-30, following the announcement of a full lockdown in the Greater Male' Region for a period of 14 days, as a precaution against the further spread of COVID-19.
Following the spread of COVID-19 in the capital city, Health Protection Agency (HPA) has ordered the complete restriction of movement and ban on all vehicles and public transport services during the lockdown period. The President's office said despite the temporary closure of government offices, the provision of all essential services to the public will continue without interruption. The president noted the importance of utilising the minimum number of employees to carry out functions and to make arrangements to work from home.
The essential services include health care providers, pharmacies, water, electricity and sewerage services, broadcasting services, telecommunication and internet services, banking services, cooking gas supplies and fuel supply services, airports and seaports services, Maldives Customs Service, Maldives Immigration, Aviation Security Command, Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Fire and Rescue services, Maldives Police Service, Maldives Correctional Service, judiciary services and courts, diplomatic and consular services, social protection services, orphanages and shelter services, waste management services and meteorological services.
The president noted it is highly imperative to follow all guidelines and instructions from HPA during the current period.