Central East Region Police has arrested 23 people for not complying with Covid-19 prevention rules and regulations in the region.

The development comes a few days after government enforced new Covid-19 measures which include mandatory wearing of masks in public places.

Police Public Relations Officer for Central East Region Harry Namwaza  has confirmed the arrest.

Namwaza said some of the suspects were found without face masks in public places and some were operating bars outside the permitted working hours when the police were patrolling the areas in the districts of Dowa and Ntchisi.

“The public must comply with the rules so that we do not push them to respect the laws,” Namwaza said.

He further said that those found in public places without wearing face masks and transport vehicles exceeding 50 percent of their carrying capacity among others shall face the law.

The suspects will appear in court soon to answer charges leveled against them.