Persons flouting mandatory mask-wearing orders will be fined – Health Minister

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has warned that persons who choose not to wear a mask when in public can be fined.

Dr Anthony explained that the revised emergency protocols for August 16-31, 2020, provide for persons found flouting the measure to be fined and even imprisoned.
“I do not think many persons realise this but the orders that were passed making it mandatory for anyone who is in the public space, any public building to have to wear a mask because it is the law. But people have not been abiding by that law so one of the things we will be doing more of is the enforcement of that law,” he is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.
Minister Anthony reminded that wearing masks is one of the effective ways to contain the spread of COVID-19
Anthony told DPI: “We do not want to lock up people for not wearing a mask so we appeal to persons to do the right thing because it is going to protect you and your family. Mask wearing is important and we have to keep emphasising that and I hope by understanding how this disease is transmitted that people start paying more attention to wearing a mask.”
The Health Minister also noted that while persons endeavour to wear their masks, it must be done correctly. This means the face mask should cover the nose, mouth and chin. When not in use, the mask should be safely stowed away or discarded and not be placed on any other part of the face or neck.
Mandatory mask-wearing along with the other preventative measures; handwashing/sanitising and social distancing are the key measures to halting the severe impact of COVID-19.
“Everybody wants the cases to come down but the cases won’t come down unless everybody plays their part and this requires a national effort, it takes the whole of Guyana if we want to see the cases come down.” Dr Anthony posited.