The Tortola resident, whose name is being withheld unless he is later charged, is the first to be fined for quarantine violation since the COVID suppression measures were issued, the RVIPF said in a press release today, August 26, 2021.

The ticketed individual has 21 days to pay the ticket. Failure to do, he will be subjected to court proceedings, the RVIPF said.

Quarantine protocol

Under the Imposition of a Curfew (No. 4) Order, 2021, a person, who is the subject of a mandatory quarantine order under the relevant enactments, protocols or guidelines or directed by a quarantine officer appointed under the Quarantine Act to be in quarantine, shall be prohibited from leaving his or her home for the period of his or her quarantine.

In January, Government increased the fines under the COVID-19 Regulations from $1,000 to $10,000 for those found in violation of the mandatory order.

Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the Public Health Department is reminding the public that quarantine orders are intended to protect the public against any further outbreaks of COVID. Persons who have information about quarantine violators are asked to notify the Public Health Department at 468-2274 or 2271 or 2285 or call 911.