Minister gazettes anti-coronavirus restrictions: Face masks compulsory in public

Government has gazetted Public Health and Covid-19 Containment and Management laws, which among others, criminalises non wearing of masks in public to tackle a surge in cases.

Chiponda: People are now required to wear face masks in public to cover their mouths and noses

Face masks are now mandatory in public, if found not wearing the masks, a person be liable to pay a fine of K10 000.

Some of the orders contained include ‘burial within  24 hours for anyone dying from Covid19’ and also ‘restriction of public gatherings to only 50 people’.

Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Health told a news conference that she has also signed the Covid-19 preventive measures into law.

She said all public gatherings have also been limited to 50 from the initial 100.

However, the minister says the gatherings do not include the National Assembly and education institutions.

Chiponda has also said it is mandatory for people to wear face masks in public spaces.

She adds that it is also mandatory for people to exercise social distance at all times.

For public transport, the seating capacity should be at 60% and that all passengers should wear face masks.

The new amendments come a day after President Lazarus Chakwera announced government’s latest position in the wake of an upsurge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.

he death of two Covid-19 positive ministers last week prompted Chakwera to declare a state of disaster.

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Kanjedza
Kanjedza
3 years ago

This rule should have come last year. Too little too late. Mk 10,000-00 fine????? SAD. You think police will issue the receipt or they will give a discount if you dont demand receipt.  Instead the police can get free masks from “Masksfor malawi” and give it at 100 kwacha, just like what the French police do. They give out free. There are plenty of unused bottles of ink with MEC. Police should request MEC to use it before it dries up. As the police are giving out the mask the recipent should dip his last finger as an acknowledgement.… Read more »

Simpo
Simpo
3 years ago

Abale ma arguments enawa kumawaganizira Kaye. Kaye akuuzani kuti k10000 ndi contribution? It’s a penalty. Chilango anakuuzani kuti chizikhala chofukirika? If they can’t afford k10000 how much can they afford? Let them use what they can afford for a mask. A mask is just k300. Zinazi let’s be progressive

Mwadza mwatipeza
Mwadza mwatipeza
3 years ago

Distance apart ndiyotheka, Kona mask iguana ndalama. Komanso value ya 10000 kwacha kumudzi kwathu ndi ndalama yosafikirika. Kale zikavuta chengchi, MYP inkayenda mu landrover ndi chinkuza mau. Tiyeni tiyende ndi chinkuza may. Zikhoza kunsitha.

Chiswa B
Chiswa B
3 years ago

So national assembly isnt a gathering?

Ulemu Banda
Ulemu Banda
3 years ago
Reply to  Chiswa B

it is but it has been exempted including schools.

No 7
No 7
3 years ago

Which Malawian can afford K10000?
Anthu ndi osauka. Inu amene mumaba m’boma mutha kukwanitsa. Be realistic or you will lose popularity. Circulation of cash is low. Ndipo mask were supposed to be free

Whiplash
Whiplash
3 years ago
Reply to  No 7

Of course not every Malawian can afford to pay the fine of 10,000 but they can surely afford to buy a mask for 200 kwacha.

Justice for all
Justice for all
3 years ago

K10,000 it’s just bit too much according to the current status of economy

Bonya
Bonya
3 years ago

If you feel that K10000 is too much then don’t commit the crime. Anthu amene sangakwanise K10000 ndiamene ali balalabalala osavala mask kufalisa covid-19

Lol
Lol
3 years ago

THEN WEAR A FREAKING MASK?!

Time to arise....
Time to arise....
3 years ago

10000 is not a contribution to enable people put on a Mask rather it is a FINE put as a restrictive measure to force people to do what is right and good for them and others.

Spend K200 to MASK UP and you will not pay the K10,000.

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