Juba City Council to punish violators of COVID-19 protocols

JUBA – The Mayor of South Sudan’s Juba City Council (JCC), Michael Lado Thomas Allah-Jabu, has vowed to punish those found violating recently introduced COVID-19 safety protocols during the festive season.

On Tuesday, South Sudan National Taskforce on COVID-19 declared a three-week partial lockdown banning social gatherings, classes, religious services, and political rallies following a sharp rise in coronavirus cases.

Addressing journalists on Thursday at the state secretariat in Juba, Allah-Jabu directed the security officers to arrest anybody found violating the COVID protocol such as mandatory use of proper face masks and keeping social distance in public or workplaces.

“COVID-19 lockdown and wearing of face mask will b taken seriously in all time and all places of worship, social gathering, and entertainment premises, tea places are directed to reinforce respective guideline on COVID-19 preventive measures and any violation of this will be punishable,” Allah-Jabu told reporters in Juba on Thursday.

The mayor warned the public against violating the measures put in place to contain the spread of the deadly pandemics.

“The city authorities will conduct an inspection place to visit markets, hotels, restaurants, and entertainments centers to ensure that COVID-19 measures are taken seriously. All traders, hotels, markets, and the general public including places of discos to comply with environmental cleaning, hygiene, and sanitation,” he said.