23 Oct 2020 | 01:09 AM UTC
Maldives: Authorities amend curfew in Greater Male October 22 /update 18
Maldivian authorities amend nightly curfew in Greater Male to 23:00 – 05:00 on October 22; follow government directives
Event
Maldivian authorities announced on Thursday, October 22, that the nightly curfew in place in Greater Male due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic have been amended. The curfew has been reduced by an hour and will now be in effect between the hours of 23:00 - 05:00 (local time) in Malé, as well as on the islands of Vilimalé, Gulhifalhu, Thilafushi, and Hulhumalé, with businesses in the region required to close at 22:30 to accommodate for the curfew.
A state of public health emergency remains in effect in the country until November 5. Inter-island ferry travel is only authorized for essential movements such as medical emergencies. Public gatherings of more than five people are banned, while the use of face masks is mandatory in all enclosed and public spaces.
As of October 22, health authorities have confirmed 11,358 COVID-19 cases in the Maldives, with 37 associated deaths. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.
Advice
Measures adopted by
local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately.
Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are
likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers
are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival
to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due
to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine
upon their arrival or during their stay.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:
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