Those Hosting Illegal Parties and Bar Openings Face Charges

Over the weekend there were a few large parties held across the country, at least one of which was in Placencia. Pictures that were opening circulated on social media show that people wore no face masks at all and were not social distancing. Today the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said that while people bash the different government departments and the Government itself for the spike in COVID infections, often it Belizean’s own reckless behavior causing the increase in COVID cases. He said the hosts of these social events will be charged, even after the parties have taken place.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The Ministry of Health, the Government or the Police are not the ones conducting these parties. And yes, as much as we try to identify the locations of these parties, and disrupt them and make arrests, there are some that are encouraged discreetly that we don’t know about. And it is this irresponsible, selfish behavior of the few that have us in the predicament that we’re in. The sad part is that people do foolishness and the wrong people get blamed for it. As a society we need to start to point the fingers or the blame where they rightfully belong. As a Police Department, we continue to work towards achieving the objectives of the COVID-19 regulations. The one in Placencia at Barefoot, I think is the name of the bar, the owner was arrested and will be appearing at Court today. As we got information about it we went there, we saw the party, and she was arrested and will be appearing in Court today.”

Marion Ali

“And for instances when you don’t find out about the event until after the event actually took place, can you still go, based on the evidence?”

Chester Williams

“As long as we have the video footage and we have a date when it occurred, certainly I’ll be more than happy to go after them.”