Over 600 fined for not wearing face mask

TDT | Manama

Some 159 people were penalised for not wearing a face mask while outside their houses in the capital this week, informed Director General of the Capital Governorate Police Directorate. In the southern governorate, that number rose to 553.

The total number of violations recorded in this regard since the start of the implementation of the decision to wear masks has touched 450 in the capital, the director-general said. The use of masks has been a hot topic ever since the pandemic first emerged in China in December.

Social distancing and wearing masks are part of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measures implemented by the authorities here in the Kingdom. “Following the instructions regarding Coronavirus prevention is crucial in the Kingdom’s battle against the deadly spread,” said the director-general.

He said security patrols are determined to implement the measures strictly, especially in densely populated residential neighbourhoods, busy streets, shopping malls and shopping centres. “Strict actions will be taken against any violations especially in areas including Manama’s central market where several violators were arrested and referred to take necessary legal measures.”

The top cop further said the directorate is working to spread awareness among citizens and residents here on the need to follow social distancing measures while in markets, shops, parks and other public places. He said it’s also necessary to prevent the gathering of more than five people.

The director-general called on all to ensure wearing masks and adhere to other instructions to help national efforts to address the pandemic. 553 fined in southern governorate Meanwhile, Captain Ibrahim Mohamed Al-Kaabi, Head of Operations Division at the Southern Governorate Police Directorate, confirmed recording 553 violations there related to not wearing face masks.

He said this during a radio programme “security” prepared by the General Administration of Information and Security Culture in cooperation with Radio Bahrain. Al-Kaabi said: “the provincial police directorate is also continuing its awareness campaigns for citizens and residents in various languages, to urge them to adhere to precautionary measures, to combat Coronavirus.”

Wear masks: UN The World Health Organisation has made clear that it is important to wear face masks where the virus is widespread and physical distancing is difficult. “In light of evolving evidence, WHO advises that governments should encourage the general public to wear masks where there is widespread transmission and physical distancing is difficult,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

In areas with community-level virus transmission, “we advise that people aged 60 years or over, or those with underlying conditions, should wear a medical mask in situations where physical distancing is not possible”, he added. But the UN health agency stressed that facemasks alone “will not protect you from COVID-19” -- and people suffering with the virus should not be out in public if they can avoid it.