A total of 458 persons were arrested and charged countrywide between Thursday, April 2nd, and Monday, April 6th, for various offenses after violating the current curfew regulations. Out of those detained around the country, a total of 12 were from San Pedro Town.
Belize is currently under a 30-day countrywide State of Emergency following an increase of COVID-19 cases. One of the measures set in place is a curfew from 8PM to 5AM every day. Failure to comply would see persons being arrested and charged. On the first night, Thursday, April 2nd, 74 persons countrywide were arrested and charged. Out of those 74, six were from San Pedro.
On Friday, April 3rd, 105 were arrested and charged countrywide, with one being from San Pedro. The following day, the number of curfew offenders increased to 119, with three of those being from the island. On Sunday, April 5th, the countrywide number of persons arrested for breaking the curfew was a total of 100, two from San Pedro. On Monday, April 6th, 60 persons were arrested and charged. Many of the arrestees could not provide reasons for movement outside of the curfew period, breaching the curfew, failure to practice social distancing, and some people for keeping business establishments open beyond prescribed hours.
According to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, if the number of persons arrested for breaching the curfew increases, he will recommend that the Prime Minister send them directly to prison. If approved, offenders will not be offered bail.
The curfew regulations remain the same, asking every establishment to be closed when they are supposed to. No one should be on the streets and loitering, wandering, assembling, or moving at any public place/roads will not be tolerated. The only time citizens can move is during the daytime hours from 5AM to 7:59PM to purchase essential needs, to get medical attention, or if the individual is an essential worker.
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