Registrar of Companies Mariyam Visam says Maldives Police Services would resume issuing permits to businesses that want to restart their operations amidst the lockdown of Male’ Area due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Speaking to the media, Visam those businesses seeking new permits to resume their operations must apply for the permit via the police portal and can apply for it starting today.

She also said that permits would be issued to those businesses that applied via the Ministry of Trade portal and that they would not have to re-apply to the police portal.

Visam said earlier businesses looking to restart their operations either by opening their doors to customers or by making deliveries had to apply for their permits via the city council but with the change these applications must be made to the police and the police would issue the relevant permits.

The registrar of companies said that those businesses allowed to open their doors to customers include grocery stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, Hardware stores, stores that sell local herbs and medicine, baby shops, bakeries, and bookshops.

She also said that Teashops, Cafés, Restaurants, Cafeterias, Mobile phone shops, computer shops, shops that sell home appliances, apparel and garments shops, shops that sell sports equipment and shops that sell local products must deliver their goods via online services.

Visam added that those who have applied to the permit and have been unable to acquire it can share their details with the police and the police would then issue their permits as well.

The Registrar of Companies further said that for private offices that employees 10 staff, only 2 would be permitted to work from the office during the lockdown while for offices with 10-30 staff, 5 staff would be permitted to work from the office.

Visam also said that for offices with more than 30 employees, than 20 percent of the staff would be allowed to go back to work. She also said considering the type of work being done, more staff would be allowed to go back to work.