Africa’s penalties for Covid-19 violations not harsh enough

PRETORIA. – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, over 4,4 million people have lost their lives, economies have been devastated, travel put at a halt, and borders have been closed all across the world.

In a bid to prevent the spread of the virus, countries all over the world have implemented lockdowns and gone as far as imposing fines and sentences on those who fail to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations.

As expected, some countries have extreme lockdown measures and others have been deliberate in their punishments of those who have violated Covid-19 rules.

Last Thursday, a British man was sentenced to six weeks in a Singapore jail for not wearing a mask.

Recently in Maui, an Island in Hawaii, police arrested two United States visitors for violating travel quarantine rules, they were released on US$2 000 each.

European countries are know for imposing exorbitant fines on those who are defiant of Covid-19 regulations.

In the United Kingdom, businesses and venues that breach the regulations may be subject to penalties of £1 000 or a fine in court of up to £10 000.

In Germany, people who fail to keep the minimum distance of 1,5 meters, and are spotted by police, are fined between €100 (US$116) and €500 (US$583) depending on the situation. Going in public without masks can set one back between €50 (US$58) and €500 (us$$583).

In January, the South African government has gazetted a list of penalties that will be imposed on those who breach Covid-19 rules. Transgressing Covid-19 regulations such as transporting or selling alcohol without permission, can land you with a R20 000 fine.

Disclosing someone’s Covid-19 status without their permission could set you back by R3 000 and misrepresenting your Covid-19 status will cost you R2 000.

Not wearing a mask in public could earn you a fine or a six-month term in jail or both.

In Nigeria, a bus driver was fined N26 000 (US$63) for not complying with the physical and social distancing protocols.

This fine is a slap on the wrist compared to what other countries impose for Covid-19 offences.

After noticing that the government is lenient towards transgressors, local leaders in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, have resorted to holding mobile courts to deal with citizens who break Covid-19 regulations.

The mobile court fines locals for offences such as not wearing masks, failing to social distance or being in a gathering of more than 50 people.

Last year, Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo, invoked tough laws that led to numerous people being fined GH¢12 000 (US$1 986) each, or faced four years in prison if they failed to make the payments after they were found to be in violation of the Covid-19 rules.

The country has continued to tighten some domestic restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Like all countries, Kenya also has introduced stricter measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Those found in breach of the measures could face a fine of Sh20 000 (US$182) or six months jail time. – ANA.