Male: President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called to further restrict movements of people, in the efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.

He made the call during a national task force meeting on Wednesday night.

The President’s Office said that the night’s discussions emphasized on “the need for further vigilance in the next two weeks” as projections indicate a peak in number of cases.

It added that he called to restrict movement of people “unless absolutely necessary”.

Health experts predict a surge in the number of cases in the coming weeks.

President Solih highlighted this while addressing the nation earlier this week, and stressed that the next two weeks are critical in the fight against COVID-19.

While the greater Malé region was placed on lockdown on April 15 following the detection of a community transmission, all have been urged to stay at home unless essential, and those going out can only do so with the approval of the Maldives Police Service.

The current lockdown will end on May 14, and there is a high possibility of it being extended. The 30-day public health emergency declared on March 12 will also remain in effect until May 30.

Other movement control measures have been imposed, including banning of unauthorized travel between all islands.

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