Male: Maldives Police has announced that it has stepped up patrols, and will be sending people home if they found them roaming the streets without a clear purpose, as the archipelago enters day one of the week-long closure of all government offices to facilitate social distancing ordered by the President in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Assistant Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen said the police will strictly enforce the government order on social distancing. 

So far 13 people have tested positive for COVID-19. All of them were foreigners.

On March 12, the country announced a 30-day state of public health emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since taken multiple steps to contain and prevent the potential outbreak, and mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic.

While all government offices are closed from March 19 to 26, the President’s Office has ordered all government employees to remain home except for emergencies and gaining access to essential needs.