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RVIPF warns persons & businesses of fines for breaching COVID protocols

- said it will enforce COVID-19 suppression measures
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reminding the public that officers will be issuing tickets for persons and establishments that contravene the COVID suppression measures as laid out in the Public Health Ordinance (Cap. 194). Photo: VINO/File
Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded, or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the public health ordinance will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly, the RVIPF has stated.
Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded, or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the public health ordinance will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly, the RVIPF has stated.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is reminding the public that officers will be issuing tickets for persons and establishments that contravene the COVID suppression measures as laid out in the Public Health Ordinance (Cap. 194).

The Ordinance permits officers from RVIPF and the Environmental Health Division to issue a fixed penalty to any person or establishment who breaches its orders.

Mandatory mask-wearing

In a press release today, February 1, 2021, the RVIPF said the Ordinance requires that persons continually wear a face mask when in public establishments, at gatherings 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 security for identification purposes or by an employee within a healthcare facility for obtaining services.

A face shield may be worn instead of a face mask by a child under twelve years, a person whose health conditions could worsen after wearing a face mask, an intellectual and developmental disabled person, those who assist lip-readers or a person who is speaking to an audience in person or during a television broadcast.

“Proprietors that allow customers or clients to enter establishments unmasked, unshielded, or otherwise neglectful in enforcing the provisions of the public health ordinance will be considered in breach of law and fined accordingly,” the RVIPF stated.

Fines & penalties

It said the first breach of any provision within the ordinance 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.

“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.”

It said, 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.

“All fixed penalties imposed under this section must be paid to the Magistrate’s Court. If the fine is paid, no court proceedings shall be brought against the person served with the notice,” the RVIPF stated.

11 Responses to “RVIPF warns persons & businesses of fines for breaching COVID protocols”

  • LilyAnn (01/02/2021, 13:05) Like (37) Dislike (7) Reply
    If them put all this emphasis in PROTECTING business places from Robbery, like they do in STALKING you to wear a Mask, then these businesses wont get robbed.
  • Sad (01/02/2021, 13:17) Like (28) Dislike (12) Reply
    Sad to see these kids poisoning of themselves with these mask, and even when they take the poisonous vaccine they still got to wear a mask and social distance. The abnormal I mean new normal
  • Real Talk (01/02/2021, 15:48) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    Hope you charge the Caucasian’s too ,all about those bars with no mask but locals getting hit hard
    • rewrsdffds (01/02/2021, 16:14) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      And the people in the banks and goverment offices I was in today.
      • Well Sah (01/02/2021, 18:47) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
        Have you ever tried to get persons loitering at your business to wear a mask??? The amount of bad words they does give you for protecting your OWN BUSINESS. You can't even shop in peace because they gather outside the supermarkets and the little walkway by Bolos.
    • east (01/02/2021, 17:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don’t be foolish if that’s the cause just tell the locals to follow the right protocol and they wouldn’t get a fines and penalties
  • Peaches (01/02/2021, 15:50) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Persecution under the guise of this virus is here. Look up for your redemption is nigh!
  • grace (01/02/2021, 18:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    How does social distancing with children at a restaurant or adult family members such as husband and wife work? Your children cannot be 6 feet from you at another table. How do the beach restaurants and bars seat people who ordered food? Do they have to sit in their cars or on the beach? Please make the social distancing clearer for people out to enjoy their day. If a business have outdoor seating with distancing and have up all of the legal signs, how will the establishment know customers pulled chairs together outside, to sit together if the owners are inside cooking? Will the customers get a fine or the owner because customers know the rules too. This might lead to take out only again. Please clarify these situations.
    • In The Article (02/02/2021, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      "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 security for identification purposes or by an employee within a healthcare facility for obtaining services.

      A face shield may be worn instead of a face mask by a child under twelve years, a person whose health conditions could worsen after wearing a face mask, an intellectual and developmental disabled person, those who assist lip-readers or a person who is speaking to an audience in person or during a television broadcast.
  • akon (01/02/2021, 19:02) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Deadly covid exist only on the news sites that took Bill Gates and Dr fauci money
  • watch (01/02/2021, 19:20) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Local bars and strip clubs are immune. NO ONE WILL EVER TICKET THEM


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