First person ticketed $10K for breaching quarantine

The police have ticketed a man for quarantine violation — the first person penalised for the offence since the COVID suppression measures were issued.

The Tortola resident received a ticket for $10,000 on Thursday after he breached a mandatory order to remain at home until September 2.

The police said the offender’s name is being withheld unless he is later charged.

“He has 21 days to pay the ticket. Failure to do, he will be subjected to court proceedings,” Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said in a recent media release.

It added: “Under the Imposition of a Curfew (No. 4) Order, 2021, a person, who is the subject of a mandatory quarantine order under the relevant enactments, protocols or guidelines or directed by a quarantine officer appointed under the Quarantine Act to be in quarantine, shall be prohibited from leaving his or her home for the period of his or her quarantine.”

Back in January, the government increased the fines for quarantine violators from $1,000 to $10,000. The police are asking persons who have information about quarantine violators to notify the Public Health Department at 468-2274 or call 911.