BELIZE CITY, Tues. May 19, 2020– Since the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the country in March, Emergency Safety Regulations have been in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Among the many measures and regulations in place to protect people in the country from contracting the deadly disease, are social distancing and the wearing of masks, which are now mandatory.

Also, two curfews were enacted under the State of Emergency — a curfew for children that commences at 6:00 in the evening (initially it commenced at 4:00 p.m.) and continues to 6:00 in the morning, and the curfew for adults that goes from 8:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning.

Police said that they would rigorously enforce the safety regulations and the curfews, because they are in place to protect people. Violation of these regulations can result in a fine of $5,000 or a jail sentence of 3 years.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that since the enactment of the regulations, 1,360 persons have been arrested and charged with various violations of the Emergency Powers Regulations. Some of the offences committed are violation of curfew; not wearing a mask in public; failing to carry out social distancing; and not giving adequate reason for movements outside of the curfew hours.