Monday 31 August 2020

There is no law stating that persons found roaming around in public places without a face mask should be monetarily fined, according to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Perou N’Dranou.

Mr Perou said this after allegations of police forcing people to pay K200 cash spot fines for not wearing a mask surfaced and circulated on social and mainstream media recently.

“At this point in time we have not received an official complaint from anyone complaining of police forcing people to pay for breaches of the COVID-19 protocols and I hope it doesn’t happen.”

Mr Perou said the allegations are baseless but if there is some truth in it, then those affected should bring their case forward by calling the office of the Met-Supt on 3244 210.

Mr Perou said  that on Friday August 28, several buses were pulled off the road for not complying with the set out COVID-19 restrictions,  mainly on wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing and carrying five people less than the maximum carrying capacity.

“This action was taken by police because the bus operators were not complying with the government imposed restrictions, Mr Perou said.

The bus operators gathered at the Waigani police station and the staff Officer to Commander NCD/Central Senior Inspector David Terry, members of the NCD Traffic and Fox units met and instructed them  to comply with the restrictions before returning their buses.

Mr Perou again appealed to the communities in NCD to strictly comply with the COVID-19 protocols which include the need to willingly wear face masks, wash hands regularly with water soap and sanitizers, sneezing and coughing into bent elbows, and exercising social distancing when moving around in the city.

The Met-Supt said enforcing the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions in the city is tough and challenging especially when people are not being adherent but the Constabulary is determined and will continue to encourage people to comply with the restrictions through mutual dialogue and understanding because corona virus is a threat to the communities in NCD.

 

Media contact: Chief Superintendent Dominic D. Kakas, BEM, DPS
COVID-19 Media & Public Information Joint Agency Task Force
Mobile: 75430557 :Email: ddkakas@gmail.com