Michael, who oversees the Social Distancing Task Force, said his agency has encountered serious challenges, particularly with parties that have been advertised without any location or contact information.

“I think the major problem now we are having is these fetes. These fetes and these parties that people are organising and they do not inform the Ministry or the Task Force of when they are having them or where they are having them,” Michael said during a recent stakeholders forum to address the COVID-19 surge in the territory.

According to Michael, when agents of the Social Distancing Task Force finally arrive at these events, they are often greeted with persons in violation of the social distancing protocols.

“When we show up, we see people, it’s a big challenge. The people are not wearing masks. Of course, they tell you they have their drinks; they’re eating, they’re drinking,” he added.

Michael acknowledged that the mask provision allows for the removal of masks during eating and drinking, but said even when persons are not eating or drinking, they remain without masks at these events.

Meanwhile, he said concerns remain about establishments that can easily host more than 100 persons but still have problems with crowding.

“We are seeing people have 20 people, 30 people in their place and they can hold 150 and they have 25 and people are still crowding. It seems to be a natural human tendency for when they go out, when they go to social functions, they tend to gather together, come together and come close up to one another,” Michael said.

He said masks become even more important in these instances.

Penalties

Individuals are fined $100 for a first offence in breaching COVID-19 protocols, while repeat offenders are charged $200 for a second offence.

On the other hand, there is also a fixed fine of $1,000 for businesses that breach the protocols. The business will also be immediately closed, Michael said.

He said this is usually followed up by training, a quiz, implementation of social distancing measures, and inspection before they can reopen.

Over 400 tickets

Michael said more than 400 tickets have been issued to date since the establishment of the Task Force.

The Social Distancing Task Force, under the supervision of the Environmental Health Division, consists of 43 officers who are stationed on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.

Officers are responsible for the daily monitoring of designated areas in the territory to ensure businesses and individuals are in compliance with preventative health and safety measures such as the wearing of face masks in public spaces, maintaining gathering sizes, physical distancing and sanitisation protocols and measures.