150 People Charged for Failure to Wear a Facemask in the Span of 3 Days

Chester Williams

On Thursday we told you about the lifting of the lockdown in Guinea Grass, Ship Yard and Santa Martha. As you know, police officers were critical in helping to maintain that lockdown – with checkpoints set up at the entrance and exit to the villages, as well as carrying out other policing duties in the villages. Well, that lockdown helped to free up some of those officers considering that they are stretched thin having to carrying out their regular policing duties, as well as duties under the S.O.E.  Today, Commissioner of Police said that police officers are still busy trying to ensure that Belizeans comply with the public health and safety measures. He says that between Wednesday and Friday close to one hundred and fifty persons were charged for failure to wear a face mask.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Yes, of course. We are stretched extremely thin. We have a lot of responsibilities under the SOE and still have to look after our core policing function. So, human resources wise we are stretched to the limit and you would also appreciate the fact that we have a number of police officers in isolation and some in quarantine. So, despite that, we continue to do our best to ensure the safety of our people.”

Reporter

“We haven’t been getting latest numbers of people being charged – is that still happening for masks and stuff?”

Chester Williams

“Yes, it is still happening. I know this morning there was a total of forty-eight persons; yesterday was fifty three and the day before was forty-five. So, yes, we are still seeing a large number of persons being arrested.”