Wearing masks mandatory only in Male’ region: HEOC

Dr. Nazla at the HEOC press conference | Photo: HEOC

Male’, Maldives – Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) has announced that wearing masks in public spaces has now been made mandatory – but only for the Greater Male’ Region.

Speaking at the national press conference held by HEOC on Thursday night, Spokesperson of HEOC, Dr. Nazla stated that so far, most of the announcements by HEOC have been specific for the Male’ region, and that this announcement is no different.

The decision to make the use of masks mandatory in the Maldives was made on Thursday, in a meeting by the National Taskforce, which comprises of various stakeholders in the medical field and the government in order to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement is effective immediately and Police are to monitor the roads of Male’ region to ensure that everyone adheres to the regulation set out, fining anyone who violates the new guideline by MVR 1000, starting Saturday.

The decision came as Maldives observes a huge increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in the country, with 152 cases on just Thursday alone, the second highest number of cases in a single day in the country since a community spread of Covid-19 was established.