By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Ndola City Council has warned shop owners and other traders who are charging customers to sanitize their hands that the charge demanded is an offence.
The Council inspected some area’s and found that shop owners are charging K3 to clients to use their sanitizer.
NCC Public Relations Manager Tilyenji Mwanza said that this charge is illegal as it is by law that all trading premises must provide water and liquid soap to clients.
Ms Mwanza said traders who will be charging any amount to use sanitizer or liquid soap will be contravening SI 22 of 2020.
She said that a person who fails to comply with directions, prohibition contravenes and commits an offence and is liable, on conviction to a fine or imprisonment.
Ms Mwanza said the Local Authority is encouraging shop owners to take heed to this timely advice and not to fall on the wrong side of the law but be part of the solution towards the fight against the pandemic by following directives given.
She said the Council with Police would like to warn all bars and night clubs that it will not take kindly to those who will be found operating against the Presidential directive.
Ms Mwanza said the Local Authority has continued inspecting bars and is aware that some premises are locking bar patrons inside their premises, an action which is even more risky as ventilation is curtailed.
The council has so far in the past two days closed 15 bars and today will be accompanied by the Provincial Minister, Japhen Mwakalombe and District Commissioner Anthony Katongo to check compliance.
