President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has criticised the opposition for conducting gatherings and protests amid a major health crisis in the Maldives.
Speaking to the press, President Solih said it is disappointing to see a group of people repeatedly violating the guidelines set by health professionals amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Expressing disappointment at the lack of compliance to health and safety guidelines in the protests conducted by the opposition parties, the president said anybody who wishes well to the country and its people will not conduct gatherings and put people at risk.
The president further said this government will not take away the freedom of assembly and speech granted in the Constitution of the Maldives. However, he said legal action can be taken against individuals who violate the guidelines set by Health Protection Agency (HPA) amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the opposition protests conducted on August 28, former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and leaders of the opposition coalition failed to observe the social distancing measures imposed by HPA, while several protesters were also seen without masks. Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated action will be taken against those who violated the HPA guidelines during the opposition protests.
The spread of COVID-19 in the Maldives has been accelerating rapidly across the last few weeks. Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) has warned another lockdown may be required to control the spread of the disease.