BELIZE CITY, Mon. May 11, 2020– Despite numerous warnings from police and the Attorney General of Belize, Michael Peyrefitte, that a curfew is still in place and that Belize is still in a State of Emergency, members of the public continue to violate the regulations that are in place and thus continue to be arrested.

Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams announced that 156 persons were arrested on Mother’s Day and charged for offenses under the Emergency Powers Regulations.

The Compol said that 63 persons were arrested for not wearing a mask on their faces in public, and 51 persons were arrested for breaching the curfew. Thirty persons (30) were charged for not giving adequate reason for their movements outside the curfew period, while 8 were charged for not carrying out social distancing, one (1) person was charged for cross district movements, one (1) person was charged for entering Belize illegally, one (1) person was charged for failing to comply with directives of the quarantine authorities and a doctor was charged for engaging in private practice when prohibited from doing so.

A conviction for any of these offenses could result in a $5,000 fine or a 2-year jail sentence.

Feature photo: Compol Chester Williams