The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force is alerting residents that all persons found to be in breach of the recent COVID-19 Public Health Order issued by the government will be arrested and charged.
This was revealed in a media release from the RVIPF which said the force will be enforcing the reimplemented measures as they try to assist with the reduction of positive cases in the BVI.
“The Order states that every person must be confined to their place of residence between the hours of 7pm and 5am. Therefore, all establishments must be closed and persons off the street before 6:59pm and remain so until 5:01am the following day,” the RVIPF stated.
“Persons found in violation of the curfew order will be arrested and charged. Upon conviction, a person could be fined $1,000 or serve a prison term of three months or both,” they added.
The dos and don’ts
The police took the initiative to explain what persons are allowed and not allowed to do while traversing the territory under the current Public Health Order.
“The Public Health Order requires that persons continually wear face masks when in public establishments and on public transportation. After leaving places of residence, persons are only exempted from wearing face masks when in open air settings, driving alone or with members of the same household, in an enclosed office space, while consuming food or drink, or when directed to remove the mask by law enforcement or an employee within a healthcare facility,” the RVIPF explained.
“Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the Public Health Order will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly,” they added.
Fines and penalties
The RVIPF also outlined some of the fines expected for both residents and proprietors who are found to be in breach of the COVID-19 orders.
“The first breach of any provision within the Order by a person could result in a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $100 and to attend such mandatory training as may be specified in the notice. A subsequent breach could lead to a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $200,” the RVIPF stated.
“A first breach by an establishment could result in a fixed penalty notice requiring the owner or operators to pay a fine of $1,000, and a notice for temporary closure subject to mandatory training. For a second breach, the fixed penalty notice will require the owner or operator to pay a fine of $2,000. This will result in the immediate closure of the establishment and the revoking of its Environmental Health Certificate,” the release further stated.