BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 16, 2020– On April 1, the country of Belize went into a national State of Emergency after the number of persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus spiked. As part of the State of Emergency, government instituted a curfew which begins at 8:00 p.m. and continues until 5:00 a.m.

Notwithstanding the massive penalties that are attached to violating the provisions of the State of Emergency, many Belizeans across the country have found it difficult to abide by the emergency laws that have been put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

In a brief telephone interview this morning, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told us that 880 persons have been arrested and charged with violating the State of Emergency laws.

Williams said that most of the persons who were arrested were found on the streets during the non-curfew hours without a valid reason.

The Commissioner said that the fine for violating the emergency regulations is $5,000, and failure to pay the fine will result in a prison sentence of 2 years.

Williams said that all of the persons who violated the state of emergency laws will have to appear in court.

Belizeans who have been arrested for violating various aspects of the State of Emergency regulations will all be faced with paying the massive fines, which, because of the significant number of arrests, could amount to millions of dollars for the government.

Feature photo: Compol Chester Williams