Police Commissioner Atlee Rodney says residents found not wearing mandatory face masks and engaged in unlawful social gatherings will be issued $500 tickets on the spot.
He made the disclosure at a police news conference this morning to update the nation on crime and COVID-19 enforcement measures.null
Rodney says the ticketing system was made possible through an amendment of the Public Order Infections Disease Act on August 27.
According to Rodney, ticket books will be issued to police officers and the fine is payable through the Magistrates Court and not to police officers.
“And what the policy makers (have) done is to assist us in some way is by introducing a new piece of regulation under the Public Health Act – Dangerous Infectious Diseases. There is an amendment now which gives the authority to issue tickets for two of the main offences and that is failing to wear a face mask in public and also social gatherings.
“Going forward with the regulation, ticket books can be issued to members of the public who continue to defy the regulations.
According to that amendment, the Official Gazette number 61, dated 27 August, this year, we are in a position now to issue tickets. Both tickets carry an immediate fine of $500 which is payable at the
Magistrates court not to the police officers.”
Source: Antigua News Room