BELIZE CITY, Sat. May 9, 2020– Despite the stern warnings issued by the Attorney General, Honorable Michael Peyrefitte, some members of the public continue to violate the curfew and the State of Emergency regulations, and arrests continue to be made. Those found guilty face fines of $5,000, or 2 years in prison.

Today, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, said that 48 persons were arrested and charged countrywide yesterday, Friday, May 8, for various offenses under the Emergency Powers Regulations:

Twenty-one (21) persons were charged for failing to wear a cloth mask or other face (mouth) covering whilst in public; 16 persons were charged for breaching of curfew; 10 persons were charged because they could not give police a reasonable excuse or explanation for their movement outside of curfew hours; and a doctor was charged because he engaged in private practice when prohibited from doing so.

On Wednesday, May 6, Commissioner Williams said that 61 persons were arrested for curfew violation and for violation of Emergency Powers Regulations. Williams said that 26 were charged for not wearing mask on their faces in public; 15 were charged for breaching curfew hours; 14 could not give a reasonable explanation for movement outside of curfew hours; 3 persons were charged for cross-district movement; 2 persons were charged for failing to practice social distancing; and 1 person was charged for entering Belize illegally.

Between Wednesday and Friday, 47 persons have been arrested and charged for not wearing a mask.

Everyone is reminded by the Attorney General that they must wear masks when leaving home to go out in public, and that walking on the street or being in public for no good reason, is a violation of the regulations.

He reminds the public that wearing a mask now is a “must,” and failure to do can result in being arrested and charged for violation of the regulations.