Ministry of Economic Development has permitted to keep stores in Male' City open from 0900hrs until midnight, under a special permit issued by Maldives Police Service (MPS).
After the government imposed a 14-day lockdown in the Greater Male' Region, shops have started delivery services. Recently, MPS revised the lockdown to issue a special permit for one individual from every household to go out for one hour every three-days to purchase essential needs. The change effective from April 22 onwards allows shops to keep open, although businesses must be closed for 15 minutes during prayer times.
The economic ministry has urged the public to stay indoors and refrain from going out unless necessary despite the permit. The ministry has further called the people to maintain social distancing in moving about in addition to asking people to stay indoors if they are symptomatic.
The ministry additionally urged people to opt for digital payments while shops have been instructed to ensure customers have the Grocery Shopping Permit issued by MPS. The businesses have also been directed to record the details of the permits of customers visiting the shops to do shopping.