BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - DESPITE the recent announcement that almost 200 tickets were issued for COVID-19 violations, residents continue to flout the restrictive measures.
One of the measures recently flouted was the holding of a party without the permission of the Commissioner of Police.
Addressing the nation at last evening’s (JUNE 23) NEOC media brief, Superintendent of Police Cromwell Henry disclosed that since he released statistics on the number of people arrested and ticketed for breaching the curfew on Monday, the numbers have increased.
“The police have arrested two persons for breaches of the regulations; one for breaching the night curfew and one for hosting a private party without permission. Twelve persons were issued with tickets for attending the private party and five for failing to wear a mask in public,” Henry explained.
The Federation is still under a period of lockdown, which is set to expire this weekend. However, it is expected that the measure will likely continue as the case numbers continue to mount.
That comes as more citizens and residents are still being seen out in Basseterre and socialising at corner shops within the outskirts of the capital despite the restrictive measures.
The Superintendent reminded that the Coronavirus could spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, speak, sing or breathe.
It is against that backdrop that he pointed out that the current regulations are intended to prevent large gatherings and indoor activities outside of the homes, since the virus is easily spread in poorly ventilated or crowded indoor settings where people spend long periods of time.
“Regulation specifically restricts the unnecessary movement of people,” said Henry. “Every person shall remain confined to their place of residence inclusive of their yard space to avoid contact outside of their family,” Regulation 7 states.
He reiterated: “We continue to see too many persons outside of their homes without the requisite authorization. This is one of the fuels for the number of new cases that we are seeing daily.”
Just yesterday, the Federation recorded 19 new cases, indicating that the numbers are consistently in double digits.
“We prefer voluntary compliance with the regulations. However, the police are prepared to do our part to reduce the number of new infections by enforcing the law with respect to the wearing of masks, hosting or attending social activities without permission, and for breaching the night curfew and the shelter in place ordered,” Henry asserted.
