Spanish Lookout Businesses Still not Adhering to Mask Mandate

On Thursday, the Commissioner of Police lamented the number of communities he has visited recently where people are flouting mask regulations and police are looking the other way. He mentioned Placencia, Hopkins and Seine Bight, but he also cited Spanish Lookout. Today, News Five did its own check-in to see if masks are being worn in this predominantly Mennonite community. Paul Lopez attempted to ask community leaders for their views, but he did not have much luck.  He also did not see any police trying to enforce the national mask mandate.

Paul Lopez

“We have observed business establishments accommodating costumers not wearing mask. In some of those businesses, we have also observed employees not adhering to the masks mandate.”

Section four of the Public Health Prevention Regulations stipulations 2020 stipulates that every person shall wear a face mask or other face and nose and mouth covering at all times. The Spanish Lookout community’s workforce numbers up to four thousand. We learnt that, however, that in many cases, masks are not mandated for employees or customers.

Paul Lopez

“It appears as if the mask mandate is not a thing in the Spanish Lookout community. In fact it would seem to outsiders that Spanish Lookout is a small country of its own.”

While no one would comment on camera, we were told that some business people here believe masks decrease the productivity of their employees, many of whom are assigned to laborious duties. They are also aware that the community has come under heavy criticism in recent weeks for its lack of adherence to the national mask mandate.

Paul Lopez

“We sought to get an on record interview from community leaders today. We can say that we sat down in a meeting with one leader for about half hour today. At the end of that meeting we were told that the leaders are not prepared to go on record to make a comment at this time.”

The Minister of Health has reportedly held meetings with members of the community. Over the course of the last two weeks Police have reportedly issued a number of tickets for these violations. Yet, the issue goes unabated.

Paul Lopez

Paul Lopez

“The Commissioner of Police recently said that police presence would increase in this community. But, on the contrary, we have been here for just over two hours and not seen a police mobile in sight. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.”