Malawi police arrest people for not wearing face mask in public
Malawi Police Service on Monday swept Lilongwe of people who were not putting on face masks.
Following the gazetting of the Coronavirus legislation, signed and issued by Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, failure by any person to wear a face mask in public is an offence that attracts a K10 000 fine upon conviction.
National police spokesperson James Kadadzera has confirmed that the police are now arresting people who did not put on face masks.
He could, however not say how many people have been arrested.
Once arrested, the unmasked people will be brought before a court where they would be fined K10,000.
Meanwhile, Kadadzera says the police would only arrest people in public passenger vehicles without masks, not those in private vehicles.
He said public vehicles examples include buses, minibuses, taxis and all those vehicles
that have red registration number plates.
“If you are driving in your private vehicle and you do not have a mask on, police will not arrest you for not putting on a mask because this is your private vehicle.
“But if you get out of the car and are wandering about, without a mask on, you will be arrested and fined K10,000,” he says.
He says it is mandatory for all those in public vehicles to put on masks.
Minister of Health Chiponda has said the gazette of Covid-19 rules is not meant to punish Malawians but to help control further spread of the pandemic.
Government, through the same Coronavirus laws, has also banned public gatherings of more than 10 people, except a funeral (restricted to 50 people only), a meeting of the National Assembly and a meeting convened to discuss Covid-19 interventions.
In the new rules, public gatherings have also been limited to a maximum of 10 people, including places of worship.
In the transport sector, vehicles and other modes of transport are limited to 60 percent of their normal capacity, passengers are to wear masks and ensure that they are sanitised.
On entertainment, bars will operate operate from 2pm to 8pm, and people will only be allowed to buy on a take-away basis. Restaurants and other food outlets are to ensure social distancing for customers and operate only between 6am and 9pm.
Why steal money 💰 from poor people like that? Why didn’t you start your pouncing nosence from central region? How many southerners do you want to be behind bars you blood suckers? Chakwera usamaletu. Ife anthu akummwera watiwonjeza. Kodi momwe Ife timalamulira were chewas being arrested this way? Please learn to be sensitive. Ili ndidziko, mudzazunzitsa Wana.
The Inspector General is the true leader of the Red Ants Army, (Gang’a) alibe nazo zoti anthufe timapeza mosiyana ndalama, enafe tima dwala matenda a Asima, ena matenda a mtima koma a gang’a akufuna kuononga miyoyo ya athu powamanga chifukwa cha mask. Pano mukuti tisapemphere mu ma church athu omwe Mulungu anatikonzela, koma inu mudzikumana ku nyumba ya malamulo phwiii kumeneko dziwani kuti Chauta akukuonani. Komatu muka pitiliza mkanza zanuzi mugwa cha gada Mulungu siwosewera naye.
That’s Mr F***k up promise, you are avoiding the spread lol
Parliament should not confirm the new inspector General. He is a crocodile
Some people have condition like asthma yo be forced to wear a mask that’s killing them.
Mandatory wearing masks is good idea.
Kkkkkkk nyekhwe basi! Govt and other NGOs are able to supply free condoms to protect ppo from contracting HIV yet it could be the responsibility of the person who is indulging in sexual activity to buy the same but now govt is failing to supply free masks to all ppo because this pandemic is not by choice but has befallen us all! Chakwera and Chilima think twice otherwise ummmm
Kodi kuzolowera zaulere bwanji. DPP ndi UDF anakupusitsani ndithu.
And afterwards they spread the virus in the overcrowded police and prison cells!
I would rather say, each public transporter and shop owner, public places or offices etc. have to provide next to hand sanitiser, free masks to the needy! We need organisations goverment, humanitarian or faith based, like NICE or all the HIV related institutions to sensitize the public in especially in markets and depots.
Preventing is better, punishment is nonsense!
Thats a point my friend! Chakwera said there is 10 billion kwacha for covid. SO what he shud do is to buy masks to all transporters so when some of their clients dont have masks then shud be supplied. Else all clients shud be advised that when boarding a minibus fisrt shud ask for sanitizer and also if it has disposable mask shud one forget to take it from his/her home
Game on 💪🏾🇲🇼
Momwe mwayambila muja za milandu sitikuziwona bwinoso momwe mukuyendesela. Anthu anatibela, koma we know ndi anzanu, u r covering them. Onse ena makondi, masangwi kuli ziiiiiiiii. We are watching the space. Ulendo uno sitikuziyanatu. Tithamangisana.
Anthu sanakubereni. The arrests were done to make you forget the promises Chakwera and Chilima made during the campaign. Do you really think DPP would have been that foolish after CASHGATE?