CAYE CAULKER, Sat. Jan. 23, 2021– This weekend, on Saturday, Caye Caulker police arrested an American tourist on the island for violating the quarantine regulations which mandate mask-wearing at all times in public places. The arrest was caught on camera, and footage of the incident shows two police officers attempting to detain a defiant female tourist who explained to them that she was eating.

And by the looks of it, she was indeed eating, albeit while walking on Caye Caulker’s main street, Hicaco Avenue. The tourist, who still had a chicken wing in her hand, was arrested by police and taken to the police station.

The video made its way to social media and ultimately to the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, who subsequently ordered the release of the woman.

Criticism has come from all angles since the case was made public. Some called into question the discretion of the officers in carrying out the arrest, given the obvious fact that the woman was eating. Others called out Commissioner Williams for his decision to release the tourist, despite her violation of the COVID-19 protocols.

SI 175 of 2020 allows public mask removal only in cases where persons are eating in an outdoor restaurant. It makes no provision for those walking and eating. In his comment on social media, Commissioner Williams commented, “This matter was brought to my attention by Mr. Noble. Yes, the officers erred as the lady was eating, which in fact she did have something in her hand that she was eating, then the officers overreacted. The lady should not have been arrested, as such I directed Mr. Noble to have (her) released.”