Safety measures on Addu City Hulhumeedhoo strengthened

Safety measures against COVID-19 imposed in Addu City Hulhumeedhoo have been strengthened in light of new cases of the virus identified from the island. 

Addu City is still under monitoring mechanisms. A signed order by the Director-General of Public Health read that the measures were to be strengthened in the island starting from today (February 24) and will last for a period of seven days. 

The measures are: 

• Cease of parties and public gatherings
• Curfew and ban on driving from 20:00 to 5:00
• Cease of travel from one ward of the island to the other (exception: in situations of necessary healthcare and emergencies)
• Limiting the number of people outdoors together to three
• Closure of schools and gyms
• Ceasing of sports activities and exercise activities
• Public Transport and permitted taxi services are to operate in line with HPA guidelines
• Banks and shops are also to operate in line with the special guidelines and to limit the number of people inside such establishments at the same time.
• Closure of Universities and colleges while physical classes are to be ceased until further notice
• Prohibiting dine-in services at hotels and, cafes and restaurants, with the exception of delivery services

Military personnel, police and healthcare workers, as well as ambulances and those with a permit of the Hulhumeedhoo COVID-19 taskforce, are exempted from the second point mentioned above. 

The entire Addu City, including the interconnected islands, is now under curfew. Hulhumeedhoo was placed under safety measures after two positive cases for the virus were detected from random samples. Six more connected with the first two cases tested positive later on.