Health Protection Agency (HPA) has shortened the curfew in the Greater Male' Region by two hours. As such, the new curfew is set to run from 1800hrs to 0400hrs.
At a press conference at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC), Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Mabrook Azeez said the curfew hours were changed due to the difficulties being faced by residents of the capital city. With the recent changes, HPA has also eased restrictions for businesses from 0800hrs to 1800hrs.
The spokesperson said shops can now obtain permits from the police to provide in-house services and that restaurants/cafés can provide takeaway services for an additional two hours. He said individuals who wish to go out in public can use the permits issued to households for the hours between 1200hrs and 1600hrs.
Furthermore, HPA has allowed gyms to be open from 0500hrs to 1800hrs after they submit a service plan, which includes the maximum allowed occupancy and the COVID-19-related health guidelines put in place at the premises. Gyms will only be allowed to accept customers on an appointment basis, while group classes remain banned.
HPA has also allowed travel between islands that are not under monitoring with permits from the island councils. HPA stated it will be easing restrictions in the coming weeks to solve the difficulties faced by businesses and the public.