Authorities have decided that the restrictive measures in place due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country will be extended by 7 more days.

These measures include a curfew in the Male' City area at certain times along with a vehicle ban.

An order published today with the signature of he Director General of Public Health, Maimoona Abubakur, said that the strict measures implemented on 4 February will be extended for another week.

Heath Protection Agency (HPA) initially announced a vehicle driving ban from 8:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for two weeks from 3 February; that expires on 16 February. However, HPA issued an order today overruling the previous ban stating that a decision has been made to ban driving from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Male' City area that consists of Male', Vilimale', Hulhumale', Thilafushi, and Gulheefalhu.

Those exempt from the ban are Police, MNDF, Ambulances and those with the permit from the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC). With the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in the Male' City area, a curfew is currently in being implemented from 11 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

And while gatherings and private events are banned, people visiting the country, aside from tourists, have to quarantine for ten days. Those who are traveling from one island to another are also required to have a negative PCR test less than three days old.