COMPLY OR ELSE
THE enhanced approach towards Covid-19 prevention is an effective panacea given the reluctance by many people to follow rules and the resultant spike in the number of cases across the country.
While certain quarters may feel the involvement of law enforcement officers is high-handed, the strategy will surely bear positive results.
The laissez-faire approached has proved a risk affair as the Covid-19 cases spiralled in the last three weeks while at the same time compliance levels plummeted with many people disputing the existence of the pandemic. Ignorance and defiance abound!
A story is told of a horde of youths in street corners mocking compliant citizens, who have masks on the faces.
The uncultured youths burst out in laughter and pass derogatory commentaries each time an elderly masked person walks past.
In other instances, some people have out rightly refused to mask up even on mini-buses where debate erupts spontaneously on whether the pandemic is real or not.
It is not strange nowadays in public buses for passengers to react angrily each time they are reminded to mask up by fellow passengers or indeed by a complainant bus crew.
In other cases bus conductors and their drivers are spotted with masks dangling from their chins in crowded Toyota Hiace mini-buses, putting everyone at risk.
The situation is the same in crowded markets, bus stations and other public places and sadly some people have been demanding to see patients to prove that indeed Covid-19 is real.
A mention of isolation centres does no resonate in their minds at all.
Therefore, Government’s bold decision to gazette regulations pertaining to Covid-19 enforcement will bring a paradigm shift in the manner defiant citizens will be handled.
Yes, human nature is such that any change in the pattern of life, will meet resistance and in this case defiance can only be effectively handled through unleashing law enforcement officers to monitor the public.
The sight of police officers and ensuing arrests will send a clear message that indeed it is time to change the mind-set.
People ought to follow the rules, mask up, observe social distancing, wash hands regularly or sanitise and maintain high levels of hygiene all the time.
It is as simple as that!
Hand-shakes are banned for now while bars and night clubs must remain closed, not as punishment but as a genuine measure to prevent the spread of the virus and save lives.
Citizens who are still in denial will face the law. Yes, penalties including fines and jail terms will be imposed on citizens found guilty of abrogating the statutes relating to Covid-19 prevention.
With escalating number of deaths, Government has been left with no option but to impose more stringent measures that will make citizens realise the seriousness of the pandemic.
It is prudent for all citizens to join hands in bringing down this pandemic, which has brought about a complete change in the manner certain issues are being done.
It was unimaginable in the past to ever think that Church gatherings, weddings, funerals would be banned or restricted to limited attendees.
Who ever imagined that accessing a retail outlet or bank premises would require a temperature check!
Therefore, all citizens must comply.