Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated establishments which violate the health and safety guidelines will be closed for 24 hours upon inspection.
Last month, HPA began the fifth round of mass public health inspection in the Greater Male’ Region, following a new surge of COVID-19 cases in the capital. Cafes, restaurants, gyms, salons, markets, and other similar establishments are inspected during this round.
Speaking at a press conference, HPA Director Ahmed Nasir said establishments violating the guidelines were previously handed fines upon inspection. However, Nasir said the new policy is to close such establishments for 24 hours. He said service providers as well as customers who do not wear masks will also be fined.
The current round of inspection focuses on hygiene and social distancing measures implemented in establishments. As such, the level of enforcement for wearing masks as well as arrangements made for handwashing and sanitization will be checked during the inspection.
The mass public health inspection is carried out by HPA, in collaboration with Maldives Police Service (MPS), Ministry of Economic Development, Male’ City Council and Housing Development Corporation (HDC).