Last digit ID system introduced for non-essential movements

The public can travel for non-essential purposes from tomorrow (Thursday) till 31st May based only on the approved last digits of the ID numbers of the day, the Police said. The ID system will not apply when a travel ban is in place.

Meanwhile, only one person per household can leave home, as per amended guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health today, the Police said.

Accordingly, on odd dates of the calendar one person from the same family with the National ID number, driving licence or passport ending with 1,3,5,7,9 can leave their homes while those with the numbers 0,2,4,6,8 can leave their homes on even dates.

For example since tomorrow is May 13, it falls as an odd day and day after since it is May 14, it falls under the even day category. This system will come into place from tomorrow morning till the islandwide restriction comes into effect from 11 pm tomorrow and will then cease. Thereafter the same system will again come into effect from Monday till May 31 in the hours that the travel restriction is not applicable. 

"The ID system will not apply if you are going to work. But if you are going to the shop or for some other reason the ID system will apply," Police Spokesman, Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said.

The Police Spokesman also said that the public will not require the ID to visit a hospital for medical reasons.

He said that some people in the same family may have issues leaving home without a partner.

However, he said they will need to resolve that issue among themselves.