BELIZE CITY, Mon. Dec. 14, 2020– As the transmission of the COVID-19 virus continues to increase in the country, the Police Department is intensifying its efforts to ensure that Quarantine Regulations are being followed.

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, informed the pubic that over the weekend, 107 persons were arrested and charged for violations of the regulations that are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Forty-one persons were charged for failing to wear a face mask while in public; twenty-eight persons were charged for breach of curfew; and five were charged for failing to practice physical distancing.

In addition, seven persons were charged for hosting a restricted social event, while twenty-three other persons were charged for attending a restricted social event; and one person was charged for transporting a passenger on a public transportation and not wearing a cloth or face mask, or face (mouth) covering.

In a recent interview, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated, “The police will continue to do what we can with a view to ensure that we assist the Ministry of Health (and Wellness) to reduce the number of daily infections.  Today, I have tasked each of the formation commanders to put together a COVID task force.

“The task force is going to be a team of police officers that is going to focus on the violations of the quarantine regulations…They will be moving around, including in the villages, looking for violations with a view to see how we can deal with those persons who continue to defy and put us at risk”.

Additionally, Williams says it is his intention to speak with the telecom service providers in order to secure their assistance in the establishment of a phone line to be used to report restricted events.

Any information obtained through that line will be relayed to the respective COVID task force for action to be taken.  A public announcement will be made when the telephone numbers have been acquired.