Addu City, Maldives – Mayor of Addu City, Ali Nizar has announced a full lockdown on Hithadhoo district of Addu City due to the deteriorating Covid-19 situation.
During a press conference being held tonight by Addu Emergency Operations Center (AEOC), Mayor Nizar told that in addition to the lockdown imposed on Hithadhoo, the curfew in the ward has also been extended from 16:00 till 08:00.
In addition to this two passes are to be given per household with the first pass given from 08:00 till 12:00 and the other one from 12:00 till 16:00. Speaking at the ongoing press conference, Sub Inspector of Polcie, Yoosuf Looth told that the household permit would be given through the Police portal and that the electricity meter number would be required to obtain the pass.
The strict decisions are followed by increased case in Hithadhoo following the identification of a cluster involving foreigners on June 13, 2021.
According to sources, a foreigner had tested positive after a random sample was taken and additional 16 people who were his contacts were later found to be positive for Covid-19.
Following the identification of the new cluster, the Mayor of Addu City, Ali Nizar cautioned the people of Addu against having workers come in for domestic chores during this time, as contact tracing efforts are underway to determine the extent of the spread.
The new cluster was also identified while Mayor of Addu Ali Nizar revealed that the city council had decided to provide easements to the Covid-19 restrictions during a press conference held on June 12, 2021.
AEOC had previously told that construction work can continue until 18:00, but workers are only allowed to leave the site during curfew hours in a vehicle permitted by the construction company or with another permit from the authorities.
Mayor Nizar had told that the changes were made to the restrictions for struggling small businesses and will continue to provide more easements in accordance with the situation. He added the current situation still does not allow people to go out in public.
He also revealed that residents can use ferry services to travel between the connected islands twice a week for essential tasks during last nights press conference.
During curfew times, going out in public and the operation of any vehicles on the road is prohibited.
Further restrictions imposed stated that going out in groups of more than three was not allowed under the new guidelines and when out, masks are always mandatory in the region.
In addition to these, dine-ins and operations of roadside food stalls, gyms and hair saloons has also been suspended, with only delivery allowed for restaurants and cafés.
However, shops will be open as per the Health Protection Agency (HPA) guidelines during curfew times and only take away services from restaurants to be provided before curfew times.
