In Madagascar citizens refusing to wear facemasks are forced to sweep the streets.
The police said it has no option but to roll out such a measure as it makes efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Wearing of facemasks is compulsory in Madagascar when people step out of their homes to public places.
The policy is enforced strongly in the capital Antananarivo, and in the cities of Fianarantsoa and Toamasina.
These cities have had their lockdown measures lifted but to curb the spread of the virus, health guidelines including wearing of facemasks are needed.
Punishing people with community service appears to be strategy of Madagascar to fight the pandemic.
Some 500 people in Antananarivo and Fianarantsoa on Monday were penalized for not wearing the facemasks.
In Antananarivo 25 people were sentenced on the spot and forced to sweep dusty streets.
The head of anti-coronavirus operations, General Elak Olivier Andriakaja, said on state television, that “Seventy percent of people on the street respected the rule… because they are scared of having to sweep pavements.”
“Measures were taken before the sanctions fell into place to raise awareness and distribute mouth covers,” Andriakaja said adding that “I think that’s enough and that sanctions must now be applied.”
Madagascar has recorded 128 cases of coronavirus with no deaths yet with 75 patients recovering.
Last week the country’s President Andry Rajoelina launched a drug called Covid-Organics, produced from the artemisia plant – the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment – and other Malagasy plants.
Covid-Organics was developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research (Imra) and is touted to be able to cure patients with the virus.
Madagascar’s President touts herbal drug as cure for covid-19
Source: Africafeeds.com
