Weeks after the law came into effect, the Addis Abeba Police Commission in an abrupt move last Wednesday started apprehending people in order to ensure strict observance of the regulation among citizens.

While penalties were in place for other offences set out in the regulation, like allowing more than 50pc capacity in public transport vehicles, the latest arrests are the first examples of the police's approach to maintaining the protocol.

The police's new approach is being introduced at a time when the number of confirmed Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases soar higher in the country.

While the initial cut in its staff had impacted the efficiency of the Commission's services, this was mitigated by a corresponding dip in the number of customers it needed to serve, according to Alebachew Alemu, representative of the Commission's communication department.

The Commission, which oversees 171,933 public servants across the country, is focusing on the departments that serve customers directly, especially those working in administrative issues.