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Up to $2000 fine set for violators of COVID-19 Public Health Order

-Police & Environment Health Officers can also order immediate closure of businesses
Customers of One Mart Superstore observe social distancing protocols on April 2, 2020, in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Team of Reporters
As part of the Public Health (Covid-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No. 4) Order, 2020, signed into effect by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), Police and Environment Health Officers now have the powers to fine individuals breaking COVID-19 related rules. Photo: VINO/File
As part of the Public Health (Covid-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No. 4) Order, 2020, signed into effect by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), Police and Environment Health Officers now have the powers to fine individuals breaking COVID-19 related rules. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As part of the Public Health (Covid-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No. 4) Order, 2020, signed into effect by Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) on August 1, 2020, Police and Environmental Health Officers now have the powers to fine individuals breaking COVID-19 related rules.

Hon Malone said the order Signed August 1, 2020, reintroduces familiar provisions such as limitations on all gatherings to one person per sixty-four square feet and not exceeding fifty persons at any given time; and in the case of vulnerable persons, limited gatherings to no more than ten persons.

Businesses are also expected to put COVID-19 measures in places such as physical distancing protocols and sanitisation measures and to ensure that all staff and customers adhere to such physical distancing protocols and sanitisation measures.

If a Police or Environmental Health Officer; however, reasonably believes that a person or an establishment is contravening or has contravened COVID-19 guidelines, individuals will receive a verbal warning for the first breach and the second breach, a fixed penalty notice requiring the person to pay a fine of $100 plus mandatory training will be issued.

The fee moves to $200 for subsequent breach under individual status and businesses establishment for the first breach will also receive a verbal warning.

$200 fine for individuals; $2000 for businesses

For businesses facing a second breach, there will be a fixed penalty notice and it will be requiring that the owner or operators of the establishment pay a fine of one thousand dollars, and notice for temporary closure, subject to such mandatory training and implementation of such corrective measures. 

Businesses facing a third breach, however, will be issued a fixed penalty notice requiring the owner or operators to pay a fine of two thousand dollars, in addition to an order for the immediate closure of the establishment and the revocation of the Environmental Health Certificate.

According to Hon Malone, "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."

He said that it can only be the case if VI holds its citizens and residents accountable to do the right thing in the best interest of all.

26 Responses to “Up to $2000 fine set for violators of COVID-19 Public Health Order”

  • really ? (04/08/2020, 10:27) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh yea?
    what happened to the local returing from overseas who violated iscolation quarrentine mltiuple times ( in VG i think). nothing !
    governmeny all talk no action.....
    only people who gunna get fined are down island people...hold on...there arent many left !

    gotta enforce these laws if they going to work...certainly not enforced during the holidays..SO many people not wearing masks or distancing..police pathetic in their enforcement...
    • True (04/08/2020, 15:06) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      yes they never got fined $5000 so why should anyone be fined and they signed a document this is forced on us???
      • @True (05/08/2020, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Pure gossip. Some of you angry at this government for putting in measures to try to save all of our lives. What a set of ungrateful people. Look around and see how many thousands of people dying from coronavirus and then look at what our government is doing in the BVI. We should be thankful.
  • Welcome to the new world (04/08/2020, 10:29) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mental slavery, the reprogramming of the brains of the old and the young, only the mentally strong can say no to this system
  • Repent (04/08/2020, 10:40) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    Whether we wear mask, or not because of sin, we will all perish you never allow some comments to manifest in the community, and abroad but if we do not repent and acknowledge who made us, we are not ourselves.
    Jesu said I love you! come if you do not know him start to do your researched, The Bible is n0t going away in this new age movement so called, as long ad we live the Bible will be our Judge! Jesus First... call his name he will answer not money it do not solve plague or any infirmity, prayer does! Stop the fine threats nonsense .
    • Repent (04/08/2020, 15:07) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      * Ephesians 6:5, “Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would show to Christ.”

      Here the Bible says for slaves to obey their master as if he was God himself.

      * 1 Timothy 6:1, “All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honour, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited.”
  • Lb (04/08/2020, 10:54) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    For how long will this order be in place? What happens after covid-19?
  • good (04/08/2020, 11:01) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    Is them island people that don’t follow the rules now Paul got to pay for all
  • HAHA (04/08/2020, 11:09) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Watch the down island people now all a them going have on them mask now
  • Start with Government (04/08/2020, 11:58) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Government would need to fine themselves first since you don’t see any wearing when you visit their offices but as a customer no mask no service.
  • wow (04/08/2020, 11:59) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government forever talking bout fines. Did people really got fine for disobeying the lockdown and curfew? The bars and clubs does be rampack every weekend no social distancing, no masks, been like that for a while and nothing was done. These fines is like a joke to people now cause they just talking.
  • Peaches (04/08/2020, 12:28) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Imagine this new order does not apply to bars and nightclubs!! Shame on you Minister and the Environmental Health department. God will punish you all for all those rules you have placed on the church. God will step in for His people. HE IS AN ON TIME GOD!
  • Steve (04/08/2020, 15:17) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Today, the Spanish Bar next to the old closed down gas station in East End, adjacent to Fine Food. This lady who works there was spraying water all over the customers having a close knit party just like the one in Sea Cows Bay on Monday. There were only a few, but still partying, fun yelling and no masks or distancing. Now the Police Station is just yards away....Really? Right in their faces? This has to be a joke!
  • Fran (04/08/2020, 15:36) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is so hard for everyone to safe distance. The main thing is most people are really trying. Most stores, restaurants, paying our bills etc are cooperating. It is difficult to see little children here do what is natural and that is playing together. I see them everywhere enjoying life as it should be because they are so young. Since we don't have an outbreak like other places, thank goodness to our government, I still think the little ones need closeness to play. Am I wrong for smiling when I see them running and laughing together? They don't remember to distance.
  • Saul (04/08/2020, 16:36) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    people of tyhe bvi outsiders it is time to stop talking and doing s... this pandemic is very serious and it is time people stop their sh;; other caribbean islands are doing what they can do to protect their country and its people so what the bvi nust just let everything slide come on if you cannot goalong with the country rules well then pack your bag and leave cannot afford for no0n bvi landers to want to run the show in the bvi it is time that the government do what they have to do the country from which you came from is doing their part so stop calling down and critising the people and the bvi this country has helped out siders very much stop the irogrant talk some of you are nice people but there are some who are bringing the good ones and who might be one of the biggest comments and people who through their comments you may have to go back home so tell your fellow country men syop calling down the BVi
  • COVID (04/08/2020, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    VI block breaching protocol, the sanitizer is always empty there but hangs on the door! Hi officers watch out, if locals can breach , pls make it official
  • vip (04/08/2020, 19:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    geh ayu........(v.i accent)
  • ReX FeRal (05/08/2020, 06:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow. These rules on emancipation day Hmm.
  • Enforcement? (05/08/2020, 09:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So you’re saying the police are actually going to track everyone they issue a warning to so they will then know if the person is a subsequent offender? Bwahahahh! Yeah right sure they will be able to that. What a joke. There will no enforcement and just like now there will be very little or taking this virus seriously. This is why govt has to keep BVI locked up.
  • Greg (05/08/2020, 16:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big gathering today at Fenny's Bar, Wednesday, on the waters edge in Paraquita Bay with police present. No distancing and very few masks. They built bleachers for people to sit on. Cars were lined up on the road making it difficult to pass. Again, police were present. No one cares...sadly.
  • Greg (05/08/2020, 16:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big gathering today at Fenny's Bar, Wednesday, on the waters edge in Paraquita Bay with police present. No distancing and very few masks. They built bleachers for people to sit on. Cars were lined up on the road making it difficult to pass. Again, police were present. No one cares...sadly.
  • y (05/08/2020, 18:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this mask is for some people I really want to know because I went DMV last week and there was no one of those cashier was warring mask
  • u (05/08/2020, 18:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ? When u in road town on d street in this hot sun walking do you have to put the mask on or if you enter a place of business it's not easy to have that mask on


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