Benin police enforce mask-wearing in bid to stop coronavirus

Police in the West African nation of Benin on Wednesday stopped pedestrians and confiscated vehicles as the authorities began enforcing the mandatory wearing of face masks to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Many residents in the country’s largest city, Cotonou, donned surgical masks or homemade face coverings after the government ordered people in key regions to wear them in public.

Police officers at major crossroads in the city pulled over drivers and took away motorbikes if the owners were not wearing masks.

“We did not wear them before, but now that it is mandatory we are forced to,” motorbike taxi driver Franck Kpotcheme said.

The country of 11 million is following a growing number of nations where it has now become obligatory to wear masks in public.

But few other African nations have yet made wearing masks compulsory, as many have struggled to ensure supplies of protective equipment.

The government in Benin has subsidised the cost of masks at the equivalent of about 30 US cents (about R5.40) but that expenditure remains high for many on a daily basis.

Some residents complained they could not find masks despite pharmacies limiting sales to two per customer to conserve stocks.

“They just told me that there aren’t any masks available,” said Edouard Gbeha, as he emerged from a store.

“They say that they are obligatory and we want to buy them but can’t find them.”

The authorities have ordered security forces to step up patrols and detain people without masks, but have not outlined penalties for those failing to comply.

One leading fashion designer said he had switched all his production to manufacturing masks and had run out of stock after sending out thousands in the last few days.

Benin has imposed a “cordon sanitaire” around major towns and cities.

Under it, travel in and out of these areas is banned, gatherings are restricted and bars have been closed.

The country has so far confirmed 26 infections and one death from the coronavirus.

While mask wearing has been widespread in Asia since the beginning of the epidemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and numerous governments have said only carers or people with symptoms need to use them.

Morocco on Monday also ordered them to be worn in public and Ivory Coast has recommended they be used.

Authorities in the US last week advised all Americans to wear masks in public.

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They just told me that there aren’t any masks available. They say that they are obligatory and we want to buy them but can’t find them