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During their weekly meeting on Tuesday, October 5th, Cabinet approved the establishment of a COVID-19 Enforcement Unit within the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This task force will oversee the maintenance of supervision and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols in all businesses and other establishments.

For some time, there have been plans to form the enforcement unit as it is alleged by concerned citizens that no enforcement is being done. Businesses in the gastronomy sector in particular, across the country, are advised to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. Members of the enforcement unit can show up at any time at an establishment. If a patron inside the business is unvaccinated, for example, the proprietor and the customer will be committing an offense and shall be issued a violation ticket. The customer may be fined up to BZ$500 and the establishment up to BZ$1,000.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

COVID-19 Enforcement Unit to provide new jobs

MOHW's minister the Honourable Michel Chebat said they are looking at hiring around 145 persons. "We need a team that is more sensitive, a team that understands that their task, perhaps in the first instance, is to educate people about what the measures are and about the importance of adhering to them," said Chebat. He said that such task force members will have the authorization to issue tickets to anyone violating the health safety measures. Chebat added that the police and MOHW will provide training to the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit to do get the job done. The unit should not be foreseen as a threat, but as an assistant, who primarily aims to educate people on the seriousness of the pandemic and why the established safety measures need to be followed.

The main task of this group will be to make sure people and businesses adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols. Chebat explained that this enforcement unit will be made of people from within the communities across the country. A handful of islanders can expect to be part of this task force and apply for the job. More information can be obtained through members of the health department. Some of the qualifications are to have a high school diploma and some level of public relations. Chebat said that members of the enforcement unit will wear a vest and a badge identifying them. The task force is also expected to work closely with the police and seek their assistance if needed.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun