Health Protection Agency (HPA) has stated prayer congregations will only be suspended in islands placed under monitoring.
HPA stated prayer congregations are being temporarily banned in some regions in accordance with the developing situation of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Maldives. The agency noted instructions will be given by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs on suspending congregations in mosques of islands placed under monitoring, adding there is no objection to holding prayer congregations in other islands.
The Islamic ministry announced the ban on prayer congregations in the Greater Male' Region and resorts on March 18. The ban was extended thrice, with the latest extension made until April 30. Following the declaration of a full lockdown for 14 days, all prayers in mosques have now been suspended in the region.
Furthermore, the Islamic ministry has also banned prayer congregations in Addu City and Fuvahmulah City until April 23. The ministry said the decision was made following consultation with the Supreme Council of Fatwa and several religious scholars in the Maldives.