Police in Dowa have arrested nine people for allegedly opening shops outside permitted hours which is against Covid-19 rules and regulations.

Dowa Police Public Relations Officer Gladson M’bumpha said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday evening at Dowa Turn Off and Dzaleka Refugee Camp in the district.

“On this particular evening, police officers from Dowa Police Station were on monitoring situation to make sure that all people are adhering to rules and regulations to stop the further spread of the pandemic,” he said.

“In course of their duties, seven people were arrested at Dowa Turn Off and two at Dzaleka Refugee Camp for opening shops outside permitted hours.”

M’bumpha said among the arrested people seven are Malawians while the other two are refugees one from the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC and Burundi.

The suspects will appear before court soon to answer charges of failing to comply with Covid-19 rules and regulations.