Ministry of Economic Development has announced changes to the permissible service hours of cafes and restaurants in the Greater Male’ Region, following the latest changes brought to curfew hours in the capital.
Health Protection Agency (HPA) had earlier announced the curfew in Male’, Hulhumale’ and Villimale’ will run from 12:00 a.m. to 04:00 a.m., starting from January 27. Following the HPA announcement, the economic ministry stated cafes, restaurants and other food outlets will be permitted to operate till 11:30 p.m.
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, dine in services in all cafés and restaurants were shut down. However, on June 30, permission was given to operate the establishments from 05:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Later, following the improvement of the COVID-19 situation, the service hours were extended until 12:00 a.m.
Recently, on January 24, the economic ministry again made the decision to extend business hours of local cafes and restaurants from 04:30 a.m. until 01:00 a.m. However, the decision has been reverted and all cafes and restaurants are now required to close by latest 11:30 p.m.
The ministry requested all such businesses to adhere to the guidelines established by the Health Protection Agency in conducting their business.