Police say it had cautioned more than 7800 individuals for failing to obey the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the latest news conference by Health Emergency Operations Center HEOC Superintendent of Police Hussain Sameer said that police had cautioned 7804 individuals for failing to abide by HPA guidelines in the last 9 or so days.

He added that 3042 individuals were fined during this period for repeatedly disobeying HPA guidelines.

Sameer clarified that 2901 individuals were cautioned for failing to wear a facemask in public while 1188 were fined for repeating the offense.

He also said that 3813 individuals were cautioned for violating the 10 pm to 5 am curfew in the Greater Male’ Area while 1580 individuals were fined for the same offense.

Sameer added that 1095 individuals were given verbal warnings for disobeying the vehicular ban in the Male’ area between 8 pm to 5 am while 274 people were fined for violating the ban.

Authorities in the Maldives have strengthened the measures taken against the pandemic this month which include imposing a 7-hour curfew in the Greater Male’ Area as well as banning vehicular activities from 8 pm to 5 am in the capital city. Authorities have also made it mandatory now to wear facemasks in the public in the Greater Male’ Area and any other island with active cases of COVID-19.