Mogadishu Municipality prohibits the wearing of face masks and hats for security reasons

Mogadishu Municipality prohibits the wearing of face masks and hats for security reasons

 The Mogadishu municipality announced a ban on wearing hats and face masks, which have been widely used since the outbreak of the Corona virus in the country years ago. Capital Municipality spokesman, Saleh Hassan Omar, said on Wednesday that the decision was taken during the recent security meeting in Mogadishu, which was chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud.

Omar explained that wearing masks is now seen as a way for individuals to hide their identities from security forces, suggesting that they may be harboring criminals who are contributing to insecurity in Mogadishu. The authorities also banned people carrying weapons from riding motorcycles or tuk-tuks, but excluded hats worn by the elderly, known as “barwaniya.”

Last December, the capital's police chief, Mahdi Omar, denied reports that the Somali government prevented the wearing of face masks, turbans, hats and hijabs in order to improve security in Mogadishu.