The Minister’s comments came following some newly reported cases of COVID-19 and the possibility of community spread.

High breaches in bars, restaurants & nightclubs - Hon Malone

“It is sad and regrettable to report that over the holiday weekend, far too many flagrant breaches of social distancing and public health protocols occurred at several restaurants, bars and nightclubs. These actions have the potential of putting all of us at risk,” Hon Malone said in a statement released today, January 8, 2021.

“Investigations have been conducted and a number of these businesses have been placed under additional scrutiny by the Environmental Health Division and the Social Distance Taskforce. Fines have also been levied and remedial actions have been taken.”

The Minister urged persons who attended these events and have developed any symptoms of COVID-19 to call 468-2274 or 468-4936 to schedule a test.

The public was also reminded of the fines for flouting the protocols.

The fines for deliberately tampering and damaging the geofencing device is $2000, persons who engage in unauthorised visits with a person in quarantine face a fine of $5000.00 and persons who contravene the protocols or guidelines as set out in the regulations face a fine of $10,000.00.

There have been reports of many flagrant breaches of social distancing and public health protocols occurred at several restaurants, bars and nightclubs in the Virgin Islands over the holidays.

Too costly for another lockdown - Hon Malone

More fines include $500.00 for refusing to return a geo-monitoring device and $5000 for providing false information when submitting an application for entry to a designated Public Health Officer enforcing a quarantine order.

“Persons caught violating these provisions, we will find you and we will fine you. The government take these protocols very seriously because it is costly to lock down all of the hard work and efforts for the last nine months will not go down the drain,” Honourable Malone said

Further, he said Public Health Officials can now also issue fixed penalty tickets that must be paid within 21 days of receipt at the Magistrate's Court or before scheduled departure from VI.