Ramadan in Lockdown

In the Maldives, apart from the Ibadah and celebrating the family and loved ones, Ramadan has always been a month for redecorating houses. Hence most people renew their home appliances, furniture, and interior on this month. Despite the advice of staying at home, when the first COVID-19 case within the capital city Male’ confirmed on April 15, the whole country was busy shopping for the upcoming month of Ramadan.

However, most of them could not finish the ritual bulk shopping of groceries as the government decided to lockdown the Male’ City area effective from April 15. We are among those unfortunate buyers. Recently we moved our house, and we have not finished shopping for furniture as well.

When we received the message about the positive case, I was shopping in the local market with my husband. That was the first time we went to the market since the first positive case from the Maldives on March 17. For a moment, I was stunned. I saw people around me, busily doing their work as if they have no clue of the news.

After buying a few vegetables, we rushed to the home, hoping to buy other stuff that we need from the nearby corner shop. But by the time we reached home, the news was outspread. Even though the government grants permission for delivery service the next day, due to the high amount of orders placed on the first day, most of the stores had to discontinue taking orders.

For four days, we tried to place orders to different stores. STO plc stopped taking orders on the night of April 16, as they received more than 3000 orders on the same day. Most shopping Malls received more orders around that much, and they were in short of delivery boys. Corner shops were closed on as they have not received permission to open the stores.

Regardless of the difficulties we faced placing orders, on the fifth day of lockdown, we luckily received our order from a shop around the corner, and on April 23, we got permission to go shopping. When Ramadan started on Friday, April 24, even though we could not buy furniture for our dining room, we have enough food in our house. The only regret is that we will not be able to invite other family members for iftar.

#stayhome #staysafe #covid-19 #ramadaninlockdown