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Police, Environ’l Health Officers now have powers to fine persons and business for COVID offences

Health Minister Carvin Malone said members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) along with Environmental Health Officers are now better armed to enforce public health measures that help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Minister Malone explained that Public Health (Covid-19 Control and Suppression Measures) Order (No. 4), 2020 introduces a range of penalties and enforcement provisions that supplement existing provisions under the Public Health Act.

This Order gives these two groups the power to enforce the law whenever it is reasonably believed that someone or an establishment is in contravention of the Order.

More about the Order

In the case of an individual who breaches any of the BVI’s COVID-19 protocols for a first time, a verbal warning will be issued.

For a second breach, they will be issue a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $100 and to attend mandatory training.

However, for each subsequent breach, the offender will be slapped with a fixed penalty notice requiring them to pay a fine of $200.

In the case of an establishment, like the individual, the first breach will be a verbal warning. A second breach would incur a $1,000 for the owner as well as a notice for temporary closure. The reopening will be subject to mandatory training and the establishment’s implementation of corrective measures.

For the third breach, authorties will issue a fixed penalty notice requiring the owner or operators to pay a fine of $2,000, an order of immediate closure of the establishment, and the revocation of the Environmental Health Certificate.

“Serious times call for serious measures,” Malone said while delivering a statement on Saturday, August 1. 

“It is my hope that not one citation will need to be issued, not one fine levied, and not one business to be forced to close. This can only be the case if we hold each other accountable to do the right thing for each other’s protection. However, the Environmental Health Officers and Police Officers are now better equipped to enforce these sensible Public Health measures wherever and whenever required, without fear or favour,” he added.

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20 Comments

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  1. Lost Lemon says:

    This is going to get interesting! I sense there will be a few targeted victims on the ‘hit list’, rather than equal and fair enforcement.

    Like 25
  2. 55 says:

    whatever they will call them fren and the fren there fren you know that’s how it is in this place.
    NOT SURPRISED

  3. Lead by Example says:

    Government would need to fine themselves first since their staff don’t wear masks but no mask no service for customers.

  4. Hmmp says:

    Rhe same government be out getting drinks with no mask hmmm best we start to take they pictures as well I hope then get fine to

  5. Hmmp says:

    The same government be out getting drinks with no mask hmmm best we start to take they pictures as well I hope then get fine to

  6. real says:

    I would like to see this go to court, how can we be fined for Public Health (Covid-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No. 4) Order, 2020 for something that is not in the community? It was supressed by borders being locked down and isolating us from the outside world. We are doing absolutley nothing against it by wearing a mask when we are not coughing or sneezing, we are doing nothing against it unless we have it, which according to SCIENCE we do not.

    Like 7
    Dislike 2
    • Ajic says:

      It is this ignorance that has this virus running rampant. Nobody knows whether or not the virus is in the community until someone takes in sick or through random testing. The BVI has a major problem with people being smuggled in our borders and frequent illegal and unauthorized visits from our neighbors USVI, PR and St. Martin via boats. So nobody can say what our real position is with COVID unless we test everybody.

  7. Truth says:

    Thats true because a ministry of finance worker got upset when she was asked by my coworker to get her mask upon entering the business and she was angry.. what ever she was delivering she left it by the door on the floor and walked away..

  8. The Reaper says:

    Nonsense!!!!!!!!!!

  9. BVIAA puppets says:

    Make sure start with the airport where the security officers telling passengers and workers no mask no service YET they themselves dont have any poppy show them at the airport.

  10. See says:

    This is all such BS . The Anagada ferries were packed with partiers with no masks and the clubs have people crawling all over each other and the borders are not closed . People being shuttled back and forth from the USVI every day. Who is kidding who ?

  11. BS says:

    This is BS and will be used against some whilst others will get ignored PLUS this is LAZY Governence. SORT YOUR **IT OUT! There is no need for masks IF you are doing your entry prtocols correctly. The quarentine facilities are being under utilised and we could be letting more in. Mr Malone needs to get out in the real world and stop looking at US figures he likes to quote.

    • What about? says:

      So what about the illegal entries that aren’t being documented? And I guess the US isn’t a part of the real world either?

  12. Anonymous says:

    Who will Police the enforcers whe they are not following their own rules.

  13. Enough says:

    Are there two sets of rules for business and Government departments? Businesses have bent over backwards,spent money to make sure rules are followed only to see some Government workers not following the same rules set. The level of hypocrisy is ridiculous. We need to hear about fines for Government breachers of these laws.

  14. Please says:

    Pure foolishness, your telling me that Government is going to close RTW if they are found to be in violation, our any of our three major supermarkets; Please I guarantee so for the sake of our Government getting embarrass please rethink this law for most of Government departments are in breach already.

  15. No nonsense says:

    Well the short of resources to carry out their mandate and turning back health workers at ports in time of crisis. This land and governing body is for real. That’s to show you that this virus is a blinking HOAX!!

  16. Monkey See says:

    I think that our leaders need to set a better example in this regard. The premier and opposition leader were spotted in a close circle in a bar in East End. There were no masks or observance of social distancing protocols. If you want people to follow, you should be the first to set the right example.

  17. c**p says:

    That you call s**t talk. That law can never stand. It is point less.

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