Male, 15.05.2020

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ordered that all government offices are to remain closed between the 17th and 28th of May.

This is to ensure compliance with the Health Protection Agency’s (HPA’s) orders to extend the full lockdown of the Greater Male’ Region (Male', Hulhumale' and Villimale) for an additional 14 days. During this time, general members of the public within the Greater Male’ Region may not leave their homes or drive vehicles. Further, public transport services will remain temporarily halted throughout Male’, Hulhumale’ and Villimale’.

This order was publicized today as the 15th directive issued by the President’s Office this year. Despite the temporary closure of government offices, all essential services, as listed in the 11th directive issued by the President’s Office this year on 17th April 2020, will continue uninterrupted.

The President reiterated the appeal he made to all state employees through the President’s Offices’ 12th directive, issued on 21st April 2020, asking for their full cooperation towards helping the country contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Furthermore, the President urged all state employees that are able to do so, to work from home and provide services using online platforms.