Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab said the criminalisation of fake news is not suppression of free speech in disguise but to protect people from harm, especially during the pandemic. “No rights are absolute,” said Dausab during a panel discussion at the COVID-19 Communication Centre today. Dausab said penalties involved in spreading fake news is determined by whether this shared false content brings harm to the public, hence the need to define it well legally. The amended COVID-19 lockdown regulations and state of emergency regulations are simplified to clarify measures for the public to understand it well said Dausab. According to the minister, the consideration to declare the mining and fishing sectors as critical services was largely economical. Dausab says some economic activities need to continue pumping life in the country provided measures are adhered to. She also said bodies that are mandated to fight COVID-19 are exempted from observing the 10 people gathering rule, provided they observe social distancing. These include Parliament, Cabinet and special task force meetings. Attorney General, advocate Festus Mbandeka, during the panel discussion, called on the public to understand and comply with the lockdown regulations, adding that the intention of the regulations is not to punish but to control which activities must be engaged in. Advocate Mbandeka also pleaded with the public to avoid public gatherings. He emphasised that the number remains at 10 people at a gathering. This is not done to frustrate people but to control and reduce the movement of people and the spread of the virus.