Authorities impose EC$500 fine for not wearing mask in public

BASSETERR (CMC):

The St Kitts-Nevis authorities have imposed an EC$500 (one EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) fine on persons who fail to wear a mask in public as efforts continue to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The government has issued the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) (No. 13) Regulations, 2020, which shows that a curfew remains in effect from 5 a.m. and shall expire at 4:59 a.m. (local time) on August 29.

“The curfew now in effect – 2 a.m. until 4:59 a.m. – has been reduced by two hours; the curfew used to be from 12 midnight until 4:59 a.m.,” the statement said, adding, “This means that the public will be allowed to move freely, and businesses and enterprises will be allowed to operate, from 5 a.m. of one day to 1:59 a.m. of the following day.

“Social-distancing and physical-distancing protocols still apply, and establishments are expected to make the necessary arrangements to facilitate them,” the government statement noted.

It said that the wearing of masks when in a public place has been expanded and that “notwithstanding the provisions of the Small Charges Act, Cap. 4.36, a person shall wear a face mask, covering their nose and mouth when in a public place, once a period of emergency is declared in relation to COVID-19”.