Addu City Council has decided to allow the opening of shops during certain hours.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the Maldives, Addu City Council had initially ordered the closure of all shops and businesses, except delivery services. However, the city council has issued an announcement which states shops can be opened during certain hours as instructed by the council.
As such, shops in Addu can be opened from 0800hrs to 1500hrs from Saturday to Thursday. On Friday, shops can be opened from 0800hrs to 1100 hrs, and from 1330hrs to 1500hrs. However, shops are required to seek the permission of the social security desk established at the respective ward before opening.
The city council has also published the rule for operating shops during the permitted hours. As such, large shops can accommodate a maximum of 4 customers at a time while relatively smaller shops can accommodate a maximum of 2 customers at a time. Shopkeepers and shop assistants are required to wear masks and gloves at all times during service hours.
Furthermore, the city council has announced residents of the connected wards can travel between wards for business purposes during certain hours after obtaining a police permit. In this regard, residents of Hithadhoo can travel to other wards between 0900hrs and 1500hrs on Saturday, Monday and Thursday, while residents of Maradhoo, Maradhoo-feydhoo and Feydhoo can travel to Hithadhoo during the same hours on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Although shops have been allowed to operate during certain hours, Addu City Council has stated restaurants, cafes, food stalls and barber shops will remain closed until further notice.