88 arrests have been made as more people continue to fail to wear masks in a public place

With authorities making numerous calls for people to follow curfew and health related restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, more people continue to disregard the orders as an alarming 88 arrests were made for failure to wear a mask in a public place within a containment or lockdown zone in the last 24 hours.

Acting Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu says those arrested are kept at different holding centres which have been set up to cater for the growing number of arrests.

Tudravu says majority of those arrested had a mask in their possession but chose to not wear it or were not wearing it properly.

He says majority of them were arrested in the Southern Division for failing to wear a mask where 57 arrests were made including five juveniles.

He says 17 cases were recorded in the Eastern Division, 13 in the Central Division and one in the Western Division in Rakiraki involving a man who was not wearing a mask while travelling in a bus. The arrests were recorded in Nanuku and Wailea Road, Vatuwaqa, Ratu Mara Road, Samabula, Makoi, Tovata, Narere, Muanikoso, Milverton Road, Grantham Road, Nairai Road, Gaji Road, along the Kings Road in Valelevu, Laqere, Kinoya, Yasiyasi Road, Cunningham, Khalsa Road, Naveiwakau and Tacirua. Arrests were made near the Flea Market, Rodwell Road, Suva Bus Stand, Mark Street, Renwick Road and at the Suva Market in the Central Division.

In the Eastern Division the arrests were made in Nakasi and Nausori Town.

Other reports included eight for breach of social gathering in the Western Division while 10 people were arrested for breaching curfew orders.

The Western and Southern Divisions recorded five cases each.