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?
osamatiputa za dala nanuso a chakwera ndi a chilima. This whole issue is about saving lives, not punishing people. collect a fine of 5,000 and give the person a mask on the spot.
Yes the whole issue is about saving lives, hence all those who refuse to help save lives by not wearing masks should be arrested as they’re a danger to society.
Very nonsensical to arrest and penalize passengers. Suggest arrest drivers and impound the minibus vehicles. It will stop. Passengers will be forced to buy masks. Not expensive, its just K500 each. But you know what, Gov. knows it can’t go that route. They know the consequences this can bring.
Those who can not afford should use duku or chitenje or any small piece of cloth. These are equivalent of face masks and most countries are accepting them.
Zowonadi Wiza ☑️
Wiza – I totally agree. But let the government use MBC etc to educate our people in rural areas to use their duku or chitenje for protection>
Foseki
We are at war with corona virus and the government is doing the right thing for the benefit of the country
Arresting people makes no sense at all. For a vast majority of Malawians cannot afford to buy a face mask. Were government to distribute a mask to every Malawian the cost would be less than $5 million but doing this would minimise the spread of Corvid 19. As our laws applies to everyone what about the rural areas, can they afford to buy masks and where from? What about prisoners? Hospital patients etc etc. has government distributed face masks?
Its a shame that government is harassing our fellow Malawians. Stop this nonsense and get real. Next we will need MCP or Tonse party cards to ride mini buses and to enter markets. Harassment.
MCP raising finances as were doing za Makadi. Later we will be told tipeleke Mazira
zimenezo ndiye zopusa ku ndende kuli covid 19 ndiye muzigwira nathu abwinobwino mukuti mukawatsekele zakutu basi
#Institution or #Organisation Construction of Reality
I don’t understand this government
Is this lockdown or day light robbery.
Kodi uku nkutumikira kapena kulamulira
Ooooh am crying for my beloved country my vote was just a waste.
Kodi malamulo amenewo apangidwa ndindani?
Kodi parliament yalowa liti.
Mwina iyi ndi campaign yofuna ndalama za fertilizer.
Yes paja chakwera ndi chilima amati adzakhala akapolo athu ife ndiye mabwana so amve kuli chakwerako ndi chilima kuti mawu sawola ndiye muchite zomwe ife tikunena otherwise nyekhwe basi munkayesa kulamula nkophweka you have been pushing APM left and right inu kumakhala ngati anzeru ndiye lero mugwa nayotu; kumawupeza mtima phuma ayi lero zikukubwereranitu siizi! Mnzanu APM amati tisalowetse ndale pa covidyu inu mumvekere ayi akufuna kuthawa chisankho ndiye ndi zimenezo nanga inu mmene mukukomeza za covidzi ndiye tinene kuti mukufuna kuthawa chiyani heeeede ndamka kuseriku kasonkhozera kautaka kanga kangapserere
Foolish Police Government Gazetted the new laws without consultation or a time to educate the citizens. Nor was there any provision for those that are social distancing 2 metres apart with no need of a mask. Masks in must countries are now required indoors such as shops and offices, public transport or congested areas where people gather. Good Malawi is a country with one of the lowest number of cases education is now key.
INSTEAD GAZETTE THAT OUR TAX FEE SALARY IS 100,000 NOW.
True. Chakwera and Chilima can rush bills, resolutions and gazetting BUT they have not done so with tax band.
allopurinol can you buy in mexico
Police will just eat here bribes nonense
I love our police.
Kodi mesa court linapereka injunction against the same?perekani ma mask aulere kenako muzimanga omwe sakuvalawo….mcp tikuchotsanitu masewera mukupangao
That’s nonsense. Forcing people while the they breaking the rules. In Mponela kuli ku longa umfumu and akuchita kulengezela pa Zodiac kukangala anthu angati kumeneko. Imeneyo si public gathering. Dictatorship type of leadership.
Foseki
The government’s is doing for the good of the people of Malawi
GIVE PPLE FREE MASKS THEN ..ZINAZO MUKHOZA.KUANGA MOMWE MUNGAFUNILE
Wearing mask may not be possible in every situation or for some people. In some situations, wearing a mask may exacerbate a physical or mental health condition, lead to a medical emergency, or introduce significant safety concern.
Adaptations and Alternatives should be considered whenever possible to increase the feasibility of wearing a mask or to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading if it is not possible to wear one.
Masks are critical preventive measure and are the MOST essential in times when social distancing is difficult, So yah, @Malawi tili ndi chizolowezi chomyozera zinthu, yense opezeka osanavale Face Mask that one has to stand before the Law. All Law enforcers take this responsibility with NO favors to anyone, TONSE PAMOZI TIGONJESA.
#StayHome #StaySafe
This is a recipe for disaster. HRDC where are you? An average disposable mask costs K1000 which is about $1.5 and 70% Malawians live below $1 a day. The government is not even distributing free masks to the people.
The govt should urge people to wear masks. Where one is without mask, he/she should be supplied with one when in public.
Yes Police do your work arrest all those that don’t put on a mask in public,its time to control the rise of the corona virus.Lets behave as adults please
People should wear masks and assist govt in saving money spent in hospitals during this pandemic…
Are these not lock down rules mr president? Does it mean people who drive black numbered vehicles are disease resistant? So these rules are for only those who are poor only? What about those who are just cycling without a mask will you be able to arrest them? If so they why because that its also a private transport?.
Anyone who is prancing about in town or in minibuses without wearing a simple face covering is reckless and stupid, deserve stiffer punishment than just K10,000. I mean which part are you failing to comprehend that there is a pandemic and you can spread it to others even without showing symptoms?
I think public flogging should have been added to the penalties.
i don’t understand why people like sex with strange people but hate using condom, i do not understand why people like going out and meeting different kinds of people but without putting on face mask. ITS YOUR LIFE NOT CHAKWERA’S LIFE.
I think police should have used a window to inform people about wearing Masks. I hope they were released as a warning.
Is market place a gathering? If people can then go to the market(crowded as it is, why cant they go to church or wedding?
This is how stupid governments operate, with no clue from they are coming from. Laz and his partners stopped the previous government from implementing the control and prevention measures on covid-19 sighting several areas requiring attention. Just a few months down the line, they fall into the same pit they dug, what a shame. No sensitisation to the public,what a shame! U refuse the Police hold driving licences and yet they recieve the money, hahahahahaha! U think its one way, its not because when they receive the money, somewhere, someone will need change, they will still use the same money. Arresting people is one of the old medieval times approach to make people change their behaviours, that doesnt work at all. This is just as during the Wellensky days that people were locked because they didnt have a pit latrine. Change of behaviour is a process and with this covid-19, Laz you must take your approach carefully and with diligence. Does the government have enough space to keep the people, does it have enough food etc.
Can the government use the COVID relief funds from donors to buy masks and give to people as they do with mosquito nets. Taking people to prison will not help because the government will spend more feeding them, their familes will die of hunger since the bread winner is in prison etc.
There are people who are deliberately endangering others by not adhering to self isolation measures although they have been told that they have tested positive for coronavirus……the Malawi government has taken these extraordinary measures to stop the spread.
Malawians should bear with this government and you will see how quickly the Covid-19 cases will drop down to almost zero after 21 days if we all follow the rules.
Some people were deliberately walking around even though they have tested positive just to spread the virus, that is not being patriotic, we all need to protect others when we have tested positive, it is our moral responsibility.
The more things change the more they remain the same.
Stupid politicians ignored the same issue in public,you even went to court and now it’s real kkkkkkkkkk MCP….
Such is the brutality of the Malawi police that they have immediately started arresting people for not wearing a mask in public. In more civilised countries, the police have been first counseling apparent offenders, and only if they do not take the hint are they arrested.
The alternative to the K10,000 fine is 3 months in jail, one of the riskiest places for catching covid, and where at least one prisoner has already died. Only in Malawi can such stupidity prevail. If anything, community service would be more appropriate.
Key word is Civilized and we are not there yet. Even there, police have been having a tough time getting people to take it seriously and mask on. You have to use what works for malawians, time for counseling has long passed. I’m usually against police actions like this but in this case it’s good statement for the police that they are taking this seriously and so should we
U r compariing very diferent scenarios here. In developed nations, everyone can b traced
I agree with the police in Malawi we are full of resistance in doing things. This ‘ufulu’ thing aash!!
Lie! In most countries including SA people get arrested if found in public without a mask.
It’s either you follow the rules or face consequences. To civic educate or warn someone before fining is often at officers discretion and has largely been used to disperse rather than on one not putting on a mask.
Mukunamatu inu. Ku Canada or USA kuno anthu akupangidwa arrest for not wearing mask
Bweraniko kumeneko muziyankha mukudya kholowa osati majarine.
It is only in Malawi where they arrest its citizens for not being provided with essential amenities. Has the government provided its citizens masks in the first place and that they are not wearing them
Exactly only malawi arrest people
Come to SA
They don’t arrest but not allowed to enter the mall.
MCP yayamba kuwonesa nkhaza zake
My Chilima Please wake up azakuluzisa anthu awa 2025
Previous government wanted a full lock down but the present people running the government told their followers that Corona virus does not exist.They went up telling their followers to hug each other.Now look how people are dying with covid 19.Are you not ashamed of ourself.God is watching.