The South Sudan National Taskforce on Covid-19 on Wednesday extended the national partial lockdown for one more month, listing punitive measures including fines against violators.

The task force chairman Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi said the extension runs through April 3, 2021.

Last month the task force announced an array of stringent measures including a shut-down of most businesses, suspension of public gatherings, and adherence to wearing masks, social distances, and handwashing. 

Abdelbagi also directed law enforcement agencies to enforce the order.

In a statement, the task force issued new penalties including fines for lockdown violators. 

The penalties include a fine of 60,000 SSP for a health facility treating and admitting Covid-19 patient without permission, people not wearing masks, or observing social distance to be fined 6,000 SSP the same as for first-time offenders of lockdown measures, and a fine of 12,000 SSP for second-time offenders.

Third-time offenders will be taken to court for trial.  A fine of 16,000 SSP and 32,000 SSP for those who fail to take a Covid-19 test when requested and failure to isolate or quarantined in designated centers respectively.

They target those violating the closure of learning institutions, and a ban on sports activities, social events, and places of worship, bars, and night clubs among others.

A fine of 7,800 SSP will be imposed on violators of curfew hours, attending or organizing mass gatherings, holding or attending workshops, seminars, rallies, and conferences,  drivers and passengers not wearing masks while in public transportation as well as carrying more passengers than expected.

The task force chair also directed that the fines be collected through South Sudan National Revenue Authority receipts and deposited within 24 hours.

The orders took effect from Wednesday this week.