After a debate that lasted just over seven hours, a bill to amend Public Health Ordinance was passed in the Senate on Saturday afternoon.

The Bill, which will see the wearing of masks becoming mandatory , came up for debate in the Upper House, after being debated and passed in the House of Representatives on Friday. 

Its next step is for the Bill to be assented to by the President, officially making it law.

In the first instance, a person found without a mask will be required to pay a fine of $1000, while a $2000 fine will be imposed on second offenders and $5000 for third offenders.

The Bill also seeks to introduce a fixed penalty system for offences committed under the legislation, including an increase in the maximum penalty for breaches of regulations $50,000 to $250,000.