New E.I sets 10-year jail term for people who don't wear face mask

One could face a jail term of four to ten years if the person fails to wear a face mas, a new Executive Instrument (E.I 164) signed by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed.

The person could also a fine of GH¢12,000 to GH¢60,000, or both.

The E.I which was signed on June 15, 2020 forms part of measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID -19).

It was also gazetted on the same day and shall be in force for three months and shall apply to everywhere in the country.

It is now 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.”

Section 6 of Act 1012 states that “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.”

Section 4 (1) of the E.I. 164 states that the police have the authority to make random checks to “ensure enforcement compliance”

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.