Following government’s directive to the Ministry of Homeland Security to ensure that people in the country are adhering to Covid-19 guidelines in a quest to halt the spread of the virus, the Malawi Police Service has started applying tough measures on people found walking around without wearing face masks.

The development follows the move by the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 which partnered with Homeland Ministry to ensure total adherence to Covid-19 precautionary measures.

Armed police officers have been deployed in most parts of the country who are making sure that each and every person walking in public places has put on a face masks.

In the capital City, Lilongwe, Police officers are moving around the Old Town ensuring that every person is following the Covid-19 preventive measures.

Armed police officers have been deployed to Limbe in Blantyre as part of the strategy to enforce the wearing of face masks.

The officers have been posted to, among other spots, main roads leading to Limbe, market entrances and streets.

Despite move, some residents are seen walking while others are boarding minibuses without face masks.

Malawi has confirmed a rise in infections which health authorities are attributing to a laxity in adherence of prevention measures.

President Lazarus Chakwera declared Malawi a state of national disaster on Tuesday following the increase in the number of people succumbing to coronavirus.

So far over 200 people including two cabinet ministers have died from the virus.