Wearing masks are compulsory at every inhabited island in the Maldives starting today.

The decision was made by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) on 2 February following the rising number of COVID-19 cases since mid-January.

HPA said that starting today, wearing masks when going out in public would be compulsory until further notice. And the masks must be worn so that the nose and the chin is covered.

However, there are exceptions to the rule according to HPA. They:

  • Children under the age of 2
  • People exercising in public when they are exercising
  • People getting served at café, restaurants and other food servers

With the spike in COVID cases, HPA has put in more strict measures including the ban on vehicles in the Male’ City area from 8:30 p.m. to 4:3 a.m. along with a full curfew from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.