COVID-19: Rep Of Benin Enforces Wearing Of Face Masks

Residents of the Republic of Benin have been mandated to don face masks as part of the efforts of the government of the country to stem the spread of the virus.

Pedestrians and vehicle owners without the face masks were accosted by police officers on Wednesday over the wearing of the masks.

One resident of Benin spoke on the novelty of wearing face masks, “We did not wear them before, but now that it is mandatory we are forced to.”

Benin is part of the few African countries that have enforced the wearing of face masks in public spaces.

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The cost of face masks have been subsidised by the Government of Benin, and are being sold at 30 US cents, but many residents still complain of its high price, as many are unable to afford it even at its subsidised price.

Many residents have complained of the shortage of the availability of the masks in the country.

A resident said, “They just told me that there aren’t any masks available.

“They say that they are obligatory and we want to buy them but can’t find them.”

Security agencies have been ordered to detain anyone flouting the directive to wear a face mask, but no penalty has been defined for those that do not adhere to the rule.