BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - ATTORNEY-GENERAL Vincent Byron Jr. has announced that the framework is in place for the Ministry of National Security to give the directive to the government printery to prepare tickets for those individuals who fail to comply with the face mask mandate.
For several weeks the Police Force has been pleading with citizens and residents to comply with the order mandating them to wear face masks while in public spaces, or if found guilty would be fined EC$500.
Speaking with SKNVibes yesterday (Mar. 21), AG Bryon explained that the tickets have already been gazetted following the passage of the legislation in Parliament.
“So it is for the national security to make arrangements with the government printery and they would have them shortly. I expect any day now, but there is no deadline,” noted Byron.
He added that it is an operational matter on the part of the Ministry of National Security that would be addressed, and the printing would be completed within several weeks.
An announcement will be made when the new system will come on stream so that the general public would be informed and guided appropriately.
That, however, would not give citizens and residents the authority to not wear their masks in public spaces currently.
“This is a means of trying to get people to change their behaviours. Most people are doing so as we welcome that,” Byron said, noting that he hopes people would follow the regulations.
It was agreed by the AG that the physical ticket would change the physiological thinking of people in the Federation that there is something to penalise them for not following the legislation that was passed last year.
He emphasised that the enforcement of the law would be critical to changing the mindset of people.
