AUTHORITIES arrested 127 individuals yesterday for not wearing masks after the government had made it compulsory to wear it in crowded areas and on public transportation.

Senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said they were among 315 individuals arrested for violating the movement-control order (MCO) yesterday.

“The police remanded three people and 312 have been compounded,” Ismail Sabri said in a statement.

“Those arrested also include 38 for not following standard operating procedures, and 150 for attending events in which distancing is difficult to practise.”

On July 23, Putrajaya had made it compulsory to wear face masks in public places starting August 1.

“From August 1, wearing masks in public places that are crowded and when taking public transport is compulsory,” Ismail Sabri said at a press conference on the recovery MCO.

Those who do not comply can be compounded RM1,000 under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act.

The decision, made at a meeting of the National Security Council, was in view of the rising number of Covid-19 infections in recent days. – August 2, 2020.