Malé, Maldives – Maldives Police Service (MPS) has told that they have temporarily stopped giving annual leave to their officers.
Police media official had told last night that their operational level has been changed to level 2 due to the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country. He further elaborated that it was normal procedure to withhold leaves during such cases and that non of their personnel have raised any concerns on the matter.
Media official also told that even though their operational level had been changed to level 2, if any of their staffs needed a leave to attend a family emergency or important matters such as weddings, they would be allowed to take leave as per internal guidelines.
Police commented on the matter after local news media reported that there were major issues within the police force as they were not being given their annual leaves.
Police’s operational level had been changed after more than 1,000 cases of Covid-19 were recorded in the past week. While cases are on the rise, opposition has also been carrying out their protests every Friday, which has been stopped by the police with numerous arrests. As the country has been in a state of medical emergency, enforcement of HPA regulations and guidelines has been given to Maldives Police Service.
