At least 7 seven people have been fined K40, 000 by Dowa Magistrate Court for defying newly gazzeted guidelines.

Yesterday, Third Grade Magistrate Harrison Stick convicted the people after they were found operating business outside permitted hours.

After convicting them, Magistrate Stick ordered them to pay K40, 000or in default go to jail for two months.

State prosecutor, Christopher Daluni, told the court the seven were arrested for flaunting Covid-19 prevention rules and regulations on operating hours for businesses.

The seven pleaded guilty to the charges.

Third grade magistrate Stick, observed that the offence was serious hence the K40, 000.00 fine for each of the seven.

The seven have paid the fines.

Government through the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 stiffen the fight against Covid-19 by gazzeting new preventive measures of which some is to trim hours business persons operate.