Maldives Police Service (MPS) has issued fines for 267 individuals over breaking curfew and not wearing masks.
Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Health Protection Agency (HPA) imposed a curfew from 2100hrs and 0400hrs, and made wearing masks mandatory. Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) stated 141 individuals have been fined for not wearing masks, while 116 were fined for breaking curfew, and 10 were fined for driving vehicles during the curfew. Individuals found breaking curfew and not wearing masks are being fined USD 65.
MPS stated individuals are allowed to use the permits they received from the previous curfew, and employees who wish to drive to work after 0000hrs can request permits from the MPS website. The previous curfew was imposed in February from 2300hrs to 0430hrs, and a land vehicle ban from 2030hrs to 0430hrs in the Greater Male' Region.
The number of COVID-19 had risen after the previous curfew was lifted in April. HPA has reported a record breaking number of new COVID-19 cases and the latest updates from HPA shows over 1,000 new cases each day, leading to more people requiring hospital treatment.