Hundreds of bike riders, taxi drivers arrested in Kumba for defaulting anti-COVID-19 measures

Hundreds of motorcycle riders and taxi drivers have been arrested in Kumba in the South West region for not respecting the PM’s decision to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The bike riders and taxi drivers, authorities say were apprehended yesterday for lack of possession of face masks as prescribed.

This was in an operation in Fiango by the forces of law and order led by the Divisional Officer of Kumba II Subdivision.

The motorbikes of those arrested were impounded by authorities, with some held for overloading.

Kumba II DO, Edwin Nkenya Ngwana has promised to intensify the crackdown and punish defaulters of the government order till they yield to the law.

While the measure compelling everyone to wear face masks in public has been lauded, many say it would be much easier if the government could subsidise the price of face masks or even hand them out for free.

Cameroon currently has over 900 cases of the coronavirus but remains one of the few nations on the continent that has not instituted a total lockdown yet.

MMI