Failure to Wear a Mask While in a Public Place is Actually a Criminal Offense.

It has finally been gazetted. Failure to wear a mask while in a Public place is actually a criminal offense.

With the mushrooming of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe, the government has finally made not wearing a mask a criminal offense. Ever since the lockdown was imposed the police have been on the lookout of individuals walking around public places without wearing a mask.

I think the biggest thing with COVID now that shapes all of this guidance on masks is that we can’t tell who’s infected. You can’t look in a crowd and say, oh, that person should wear a mask. There’s a lot of asymptomatic infection, so everybody has to wear a mask.

At first, it attracted a fee of RTGS500 but now a fine of 20,000/= or imprisonment for 6 months or both.

Zimbabweans have adopted wearing Reusable masks that serve the purpose. The bottom line is that any mask that covers the nose and mouth will be of benefit.

According to The World Health Organization (WHO)  face masks should be worn in public where social distancing is not possible to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Below is the 

Section 6(1)(b) as read with section 11 of the Regulations. If found guilty you can be liable to a fine of 20,000/= or imprisonment for 6 months or both. Failure to wear a mask in public or private transport and public transport operators Section 5(4) must wear a mask. So don't say you were not warned.