Curfew lifted as restrictions eased in Fuvahmulah

Fuvahmulah City. (Photo/MTCC)

The curfew implemented due to an outbreak of COVID-19 has been lifted and other restrictions eased in the southern city of Fuvahmulah.

In a press conference by Fuvahmulah Emergency Operations Center on Friday, Mayor Falah Shareef said that none of the samples collected under active surveillance in the city have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days, and that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has therefore decided to ease the restrictions in the city.

However, Fuvahmulah City will remain under monitoring by HPA.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Fuvahmulah, HPA ordered for a 08:30 pm to 04:00 am curfew in the city, suspension of congregational prayers, and additional measures. The additional measures included:

Closure of gyms, salons and barber’s shops
Suspension of sporting and exercise activities
Requiring public transport providers and taxi service providers to adhere to HPA’s standards
Requiring shops, banks and other establishments that provide public services to adhere to HPA’s guidelines
Suspension of face-to-face classes in schools, colleges and universities
Suspension of dine-in services at cafes and restaurants
Requiring for delivery services to be provided with safety measures

HPA had extended the measures by another week on February 27. The order expired at midnight on Friday, and HPA has not made an additional extension.

Fuvahmulah City also resumed congregational prayers starting the Friday prayer.

Fuvahmulah City Council has instructed residents of the city to continue maintaining social distancing and avoid public gatherings as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 despite the ease in restrictions.

Fuvahmulah discovered its outbreak on February 7 after a random sample came back positive. Additional testing following contact tracing uncovered more positive cases.

51 people tested positive for COVID-19 in Fuvahmulah, 34 of whom have since recovered. The city currently as 17 active cases. None of the COVID-19 patients in Fuvahmulah are hospitalized.