The Ghana Police Service as part of measures to curtail the spread of Covid-19, says it will commence a random stop and search operation on mask-wearing by passengers in private and commercial vehicles.

Speaking at a press briefing on Covid-19, Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent Sheila Abayie-Buckman indicated that security personnel have been tasked to stop vehicles that have at least one passenger to enforce the wearing of facemasks.

“Any police officer can stop you and look at whether you are wearing your mask properly, if not, you will be brought down. If both driver and passenger are wearing their masks properly, they would be made to go,” she said.

She was emphatic that the police service will prioritize the lives of Ghanaians over the temporary inconvenience of passengers.

“You may be creating market for somebody else but that is not our concern. What we are concerned about is that you are protected, I am protected and everybody is protected.

“Don’t give us the inconvenience of having to drop you off for the other passengers who are law abiding to continue,” she added.

According to Superintendent Sheila Abayie-Buckman, persons found liable for multiple offences will be sanctioned in accordance with the laws of the state.

She, therefore, urged the general public to be involved in preaching the need to comply with the safety protocols in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, reports from the Ghana Police Service say that 1,584 persons have been arrested for failing to observe the Covid-19 safety protocols.

453 out of the total have been processed for court, 237 have been acquitted, 70 persons have been convicted, 144 have received bail and 2 are on bench warrant.