HEOC expresses concern over increase in facemask rule violations

Authorities have observed a recklessness on the public’s half regarding safety guidelines and measures imposed against the global Covid-19 pandemic, as cases saw a decline in recent weeks.

Speaking to press on Sunday night, Spokesperson at the Health Emergency Operations Center (HEOC), Dr. Nazla Rafeeq noted that many individuals are forgetting to uphold their duties as a responsible citizen, and being careless about safety guidelines and measures in place.

Highlighting that the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been easing several restrictions in light of declining numbers in daily infections, Dr. Nazla stressed that there is raising concern regarding the actions of some.

As such, she noted that as daily number declined, the number of people adhering to the strict facemask rule is also declining and people are forgetting to maintain social distancing at public spaces and in acquiring services from shops as well as restaurants and cafés.

Of recent, shops and restaurants are seen jam-packed with individuals who are observed to be reckless in maintaining social distancing, at a time schools have reopened for physical classes.

Highlighting that the authorities might not be able to dispatch inspection teams at any given time, Dr. Nazla added that they had carried out inspection over four rounds already.

She noted that the public must be fully aware of what the pandemic is, how is spreads and the measures enacted to curb its spread. In light of this, she acknowledged how it was observed in the past that strict adherence to these guidelines and measures in place have proven to be effective in controlling the spread of Covid-19.

Further stating that Covid-19 is far from being eradicated in the island nation, the spokesperson stressed that case numbers will begin spiraling once more, if individuals become reckless in adhering to safety guidelines.

The people will only be able to return to their normal lives once a vaccination is acquired and a majority of the population is vaccinated against the infection, Nazla said, urging everyone to pay heed to all the measures required to be taken before a vaccine is acquired.

Stressing that there are some countries that have gone into a lockdown over three times, Nazla stated that the authorities were able to control the second peak without imposing a second lockdown.

In this regard, the public’s support in mindfully proceeding with current eases, is essential.