Over 500 curfew violators fined as Maldives' COVID-19 count hits 8,990

Over 500 people have been fined in the Maldives for violating a vehicle curfew intended to curb the spread of COVID-19, local media reported here Saturday.

According to the Maldives Police Service, 550 individuals in the Greater Male region have been fined for violating a vehicle curfew, while 1,143 people have been given warnings from Aug. 22 to Sept. 4.

A curfew on vehicle movement is imposed in the area of Greater Male between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am local time, and violators can be fined US$65. Gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited all times by health regulations.

According to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), 90 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed on Friday, raising the country's total case count up to 8,990.

The Maldives now has 2,107 active cases of COVID-19 spread across 28 inhabited islands and 25 resorts. A total of 6,846 people have fully recovered from the virus, while 31 have died.