This weekend, the Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed that just over 10,000 people in Belize tested positive for COVID-19 since March.
But, even though the country is battling with an ongoing COVID crisis, the police still had to arrest and charge 216 people for breaking quarantine regulations.
112 were charged with failing to wear a face mask or other nose and mouth covering while in public. 38 people were charged with failing to practice social distancing. 34 more were charged with breaking the curfew. 11 were charged with attending a restricted social event. 6 were charged with hosting a restricted social event. 4 were charged with gathering in a public space when restricted to do so. 3 were charged with engaging in a contact sport when restricted to do so. 2 were charged with selling liquor when restricted to do so. 2 people were charged with transporting a passenger on public transportation who was not wearing a face mask or some other nose and mouth covering. One person was charged with keeping a business establishment open when it was required to be closed. One person was charged with operating a business establishment contrary to the COVID-19 regulations. One person was charged with entering Belize illegally, and one person was charged with inciting someone else to enter Belize illegally.
In today's interview with the press, the Commissioner said that he hopes that the number of quarantine violators will decrease, instead of trending up:
Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"Since the establishment of the task force and the implementation of the hotline to address infractions under the quarantine regulations, we have seen an increase of arrests being made across the board. And I can tell you that we're getting a lot of calls through the hotline. People are cooperating with us in terms of reporting infractions, and the police are responding adequately to these complaints. And so, we're seeing that more and more people are being arrested. I would hope, though, that while we're seeing a number of arrests, that it will be seen as some way for people to understand that there's a real need for us to comply with the regulations, to keep ourselves safe. For me, it is not about making arrests. For me, it's more about people complying, so, I would be grateful to see that the number of arrests is reduced, providing that it will be a reflection that people are indeed complying with the requirements of the regulations."
Reporter
"What about that specific charge, operating a business establishment contrary to the COVID-19 regulations? That person broke which specific regulation?"
Chester Williams
"Well, obviously, that person was operating a store and - or a liquor establishment that was required to be closed. As you would know, under the new regulation, it continues to keep liquor establishments and rum houses closed. We also have a number of persons who were charged for selling alcohol when the law does not require alcohol to be sold. That is persons who were found selling alcohol after 6 p.m."
