First priority of new Addu Council is to control Covid-19

New Addu City Council members | Photo: Addulive

Addu City, Maldives – Newly elected and inaugurated Addu City Council has decided that their first task is to control the spread of Covid-19 in the city.

Speaking in the first meeting of the new council, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar stated that the city is now experiencing a new wave of Covid-19, which it had not encountered before and that the virus is spreading in Hithadhoo, Feydhoo and Hulhumeedhoo fast. He added that this needs to be controlled and that starting today, with the help of concerned authorities, the new council would use all the facilities available to accomplish it.

Mayor Nizar stated that they would conduct a meeting with Addu Emergency Operation Center (AEOC), along with a meeting with the task forces of Addu tomorrow, to figure out strategic ways to control the spread of the virus.

This comes while while 26 more people tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday in Addu City with the total number of positive cases recorded in Addu City rising to 133 out which 118 cases remain active.

Health Protection Agency (HPA) had announced that curfew imposed in Addu City would be extended from 18:00 to 04:00 for a week starting from May 13, 2021, in which going out in public and the operation of any vehicles on the road is prohibited.

Further restrictions state that going out in groups of more than 3 is also not allowed under the new guidelines, travelling from one island to another is not allowed, parties and ceremonies are not allowed, and that when out, masks are always mandatory.

Dine-ins and operations of roadside food stalls, gyms, sports activities, as well as hair salons have also been suspended, with only delivery allowed for restaurants and cafés. Shops can give services while strictly following HPA guidelines.