Police in Dowa arrested nine people last evening for allegedly opening shops outside permitted hours contrary to Covid-19 rules and regulations on prevention of the pandemic.

Dowa Police spokesperson Gladson M’bumpha says the suspects were arrested on Wednesday evening between 17:45 hours and 18:30 hours at Dowa Turn Off and Dzaleka Refugee Camp in the district.

It is said that on the day, police officers from Dowa Police Station were monitoring situation on the ground to make sure that all people are adhering to rules and regulations to stop further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Among the suspects, seven are Malawians while the other two are refugees from the Republic of Congo DRC and Burundi.

They are expected to appear before court to answer charges of failing to comply with Covid-19 rules and regulations.