Covid-19: An Individual Caught Without a Face Mask Can Now Be Jailed For Ten Years

Now per the new Executive Instrument (E.I 164) signed by President Akufo-Addo to curb the spread of the Covid-19 disease, people who fail to wear face masks in public would be committing an offence, punishable by the law.

This offence carries a prison sentence of four to 10 years or a fine of GH¢12,000 to GH¢60,000, or both.

Per E.I. 164, which was gazetted on Monday, June 15, the mandatory wearing of face masks would be in force for three months.

The directive applies to all parts of Ghana.

The E.I. was issued by the President pursuant to the powers granted him under the Imposition of Restrictions Act, 2020 (Act 1012). It was 

The new E.I. makes it mandatory for people to “wear face masks, face shields or any other face covering that covers his or her nose and mouth completely when the person is in public or leaving or returning to his place of abode.”

According to Section 4(2) of E.I 164, any person who fails to comply with the mandatory wearing of nose masks shall be punished in accordance with Section 6 of Act 1012.

Per Section 6 of Act 1012, “a person who fails to comply with the restrictions imposed under the Executive Instrument issued under subsection 1 of Section 2 commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than 1,000 penalty unit (Gh¢12,000) and not more than 5,000 penalty units (Gh¢ 60,000) or to a term of imprisonment not less than four years and not more than 10 years or to both.”

Read provisions in the Executive Instrument (E.I 164 Below)