The national police chief has instructed police nationwide to get tough on those defying measures intended to curb the coronavirus outbreak, including a ban on public gatherings.

A number of people in recent days have flouted bans on large gatherings by holding parties and meeting for gambling and other illegal activities, assistant national police chief Pol Lt Gen Piya Uthayo said on Wednesday.

These activities were against the Communicable Disease Act and the Emergency Decree, he said.

The hoarding of face masks and other products needed to prevent Covid-19 transmission or the sale of those items at inflated prices are also likely to attract heavy penalties, he said.

Offenders will face the maximum legal punishment without the hope of a suspended sentence. In March, for example, a man who intentionally covered surfaces at a Skytrain station with his saliva was sentenced to 15 days in jail.

Police nationwide are stepping up security patrols to enforce Covid-19 rules.