Health Protection Agency (HPA) has closed 50 establishments in the Greater Male' Region for violating safety guidelines.
The agency has begun a mass public health inspection, in collaboration with Male’ City Council, to ensure the establishments comply with the safety guidelines. As such, 50 establishments were closed upon inspection on July 30, including 24 shops, 22 food outlets and 4 salons.
HPA had also closed 27 establishments on July 29 following the inspection, including 17 food outlets, 9 shops and a salon. HPA revealed 26 of the establishments closed on July 29 has been reopened after the violations were rectified.
Speaking to PSM News, Deputy Mayor of Male' City Shamau Shareef said the establishments will be permitted to reopen once a follow-up inspection is done to see if the guidelines are followed. Shamau said the measure is necessary to ensure the community spread is mitigated in the Greater Male' Region. He also said the establishments must also ensure safety at all times even before and after inspections.
Speaking about the inspections, Director of HPA Ahmed Nasir said the top priority of the agency is to safeguard the people. He added all establishments must strictly follow the guidelines issued from the authorities as the citizens try to resume daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HPA has formulated a COVID-19 safety guideline for cafés and restaurants, shops, gyms and fitness centres, salons and markets and specified a total number of customers the establishments can allow at one time. The instructions for customers include wearing a mask and using hand sanitisers.
The inspection is a joint operation conducted by the HPA, Male' City Council, Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA), Ministry of Economic Development, Maldives Police Service (MPS), Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO), Maldives Red Crescent (MRC) and Housing Development Corporation (HDC).