By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
September 09, 2020, (232News)
FREETOWN – The Operations Pillar Lead NaCOVERC, Group Captain Hassan Sei Coomber has disclosed that from the meeting they held with personnel of the Operational Team over the weekend they discussed issues relating to the effective use of face mask.
Captain Coomber said the feedback they have been getting on the use of face mask, made them to pull the officers in and discuss with them as they have been conducting pilot phases in the exercise.
He said at some stage of the exercise they had some challenges and successes and it is the fall out of the discussion they have with third party, businesses owners among other stakeholders that is why they had such meeting.
Captain Coomber went on to say this time they wanted to see more enhancements as measures and more buying through the several engagements they have with several people. The problems which some people explained he said they have put them into strategy for them to get good engagements instead of confrontation.
“We don’t hope to see the arrest of people but for the average Sierra Leonean talking to the populace to comply with the enhance measures.”
He added that they want to see people willing complying instead of fining them or taking them to court.
He disclosed that for them to have a friendly environment they have adopted the media in their operation and for the process to be implemented in a very cordial atmosphere.
Captain Coomber went further to say enforcing the face mask use is always going to be a challenge that is why President Bio pronounced that in June for NaCOVERC to come out with enhanced measures which they did through the Laws Officer Department because people are still in denial and he (President Bio) knows there will be challenges.
Captain Coomber made referenced to the increase of Covid-19 in India which has become the second largest hit country in the world for the virus.
He revealed that there are penalties for defaulters of face mask which are fines for individual and business houses. Le 100,000 for individual that enters a shop without face mask, the business owners has the responsibility to make sure their workers and the buyer wear mask if they failed the owner will be fine Le 500,000. Those walking on the streets without face mask if they are walking on a crowded public place, they will be fine Le 20,000.
Captain Coomber however hasting to say no money transfer will happen between the task force team and defaulters but the individual will have to go to the Bank where the fine Account Number will be given to him/her and payment the fine. He/she will bring the receipt indicating that he/she has paid.
“If you are asked to give money on the spot, please don’t and if it is possible report that individual.”
During the meeting personal explain their challenges and one thing that came out clear is the use of orders from above, this Captain Coomber said the senior management have looked at that issued and they are not going to complied with orders from above. He said they have instructed the team to refer the individual be it Minister or Honorable to call the Coordinator or Captain Coomber itself.
“If you are defaulters, you will not want to call us to negotiate.”
He stressed that the operation will continue for as long as possible, as they want to make sure that Covid-19 is flatten.
“We go to zero when once we are comfortable that the transmission rate is lower and people are complying then there will be no need for enhancements. Most people in Asia countries are using their face mask in public places that is why their infections rate is very low.
On the side of using the face mask in public places such as markets and religious gathering, Captain Coomber said they first expressed their dissatisfaction over them but they will engage the Freetown City Council (FCC) which have a very good system for communicating with their people and also the inter religious leaders for burial and religious gathering.
Captain Coomber ended by calling on all to comply as the relegation permits them to take people to court and also closed business house which is the worst case scenario.
“We don’t want a case where we take people to court. The essential for these measures is for our safety.”
