The Maldivian Government has announced that it is now mandatory to wear face masks in public as a safety measure against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President’s Office revealed the decision in a tweet today, after discussions between President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and members of the National Taskforce concluded.

In their tweet, the President’s Office highlighted the surge in COVID-19 cases in the greater Male’ area over the last two weeks, and announced that the government has decided to make it mandatory to wear masks in public.

The PO also requested to keep contacts as less as possible and to make arrangements to ensure work from home still remains a possibility.

Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, in an appearance on a program on Rajje TV had stated that there was no reason not to go for the move and revealed that discussions were ongoing to make it mandatory to wear masks.