South Africa police arrest thousands for not wearing masks
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Members of the Johannesburg Metro Police Department check commuters’ documents at a roadblock. PHOTO: Getty Images
South African police have arrested more than 7,000 people caught without face masks in public since the end of December, the government said on Wednesday.
Officials made face coverings mandatory in May last year at the same time as they gradually eased movement restrictions imposed in March to stem coronavirus infections.
A partial lockdown was reinstated last month as the virus resurged, fuelled by a more transmissible variant.
Officials at the time vowed to be more stringent in enforcing the regulations, which include an alcohol sales ban.