Worshippers risk $100,000 for breaching COVID orders

Members of Parliament have voted to slap persons who hold worship services, weddings, burials or funerals in violation of COVID-19 protocols with $100,000 fines.

Under a set of orders announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, worship services would be permitted between 5 a.m and 8 p.m. No more than 12 persons, standing six feet apart and wearing masks are permitted to go to the church on weekdays.

However, on weekends, until April 13, when a lockdown is in place, a maximum 12 persons would be allowed to go to the church to conduct services or do broadcasts. This, however, must be done between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. The worshippers must have letters issued by the church.

The new fines are contained in amendments to the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), the key law being used by the Government in the fight against COVID-19.

Fixed penalties

Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie, in piloting the bill through the House yesterday, said the introduction of fixed penalties, which are payable at tax offices, does not mean that people cannot be brought to court for offences. Persons convicted in a parish court may be fined up to $1 million or imprisoned for up to a year. However, persons who have been hit with a fixed penalty under the act are spared from getting a criminal record because of the breach.

The fixed penalties, which are issued in the form of a ticket, must be paid within 30 days, failing which a summons would be issued by the court for the person's arrest. There are 40 offences that attract fixed penalties, including the failure to maintain the six-feet physical distance. It attracts a $5,000 fine. The fine for failing to wear masks in public spaces is $5,000. The fine for staging small outdoor events is $20,000. Persons who fail to stay in their place of residence during a curfew will be hit with a fixed penalty of $10,000.

Jamaican residents who return from travel abroad and fail to observe the quarantine order will be fined $25,000. Visitors to the island who fail to remain in the resilient corridors, will be fined $30,000. A person who is COVID-19 positive who fails to remain in quarantine will be hit with a $50,000 fine.