Violators To Be Fined L$1000
PLEEBO, Liberia:- Police in the southeastern Maryland County have begun vigorously enforcing compulsory wearing of face mask across the county, situated over 591 kilometers southeast of Monrovia.
The enforcement followed a recent announcement made by Maryland County Assistant Superintendent for Fiscal Affairs and acting Superintendent Anthony W. Bedell, ordering the joint security and all government functionaries in the county to enforce the compulsory face masks wearing regulation.
Bedell warned that “Failure on the part of anyone to abide by this order, you will be arrested and made to pay the fine of one thousand Liberian dollars.”
The local official has ordered the county taskforce team to monitor compliance of all COVID-19 preventive measures at schools, churches, mosques and business centers to ensure that government effort in the fight against the novel corona virus is achieved.
Several motorcycles and vehicles were on Monday, July 13, 2020 impounded by a joint security team in central Pleebo for violation.
Scores of citizens including motorcyclists, car drivers, passengers and pedestrians are now made to buy face masks before passing all checkpoints since the commencement of the exercise.
During a local radio program on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 residents of Pleebo have appreciated the county authority and officers of the joint security team for the action, describing it as a step to educate citizens from their state of denial.
Meanwhile, In the wake of the impending expiration of the current State of Emergency, the President and Commander-In-Chief Dr. George Manneh Weah has ordered the men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia to return to barracks effective 12 midnight today, July 21, 2020, an Executive Mansion press release says.
President Weah said that the legal basis for the continuous presence of the army in some parts of the country to assist with the fight against the Coronavirus elapsed with the end of the State of Emergency. He however pointed out that the army has special logistical and human resource capabilities that could be called upon when needed.
Meanwhile, the Liberian Leader has mandated the Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah and other relevant authorities to scrupulously utilize the public health laws going forward as the guiding tool for curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Dr. Weah urged the health authorities to strictly implement these laws in order to reinforce the practice of the wearing of face-masks, social distancing and washing of hands along with other health protocols.
The Liberian Chief Executive admonished the public not to construe the cessation of the state of emergency as license to engage in behaviors that may lead to further spread of the virus, as delinquent acts can be punished under the public health laws.