Court: Visitors Fined For Breaking Quarantine
[Updated] Two visitors have been fined $2,500 each in Court for breaking the requirements of the Covid-19 Quarantine Order, as they attended a celebratory gathering prior to receiving the results of their arrival test.
In providing today’s test results, a Government spokesperson said, “The public are advised that on 1st November 2020 two visitors to Bermuda broke the requirements of paragraph 12 of the Quarantine [COVID-19] [No. 3] Order 2020 [‘the Quarantine Order’].
“The individuals willfully broke their quarantine to attend a celebratory gathering, prior to receiving the results of arrival COVID-19 test as provided for under paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Quarantine Order. Both pleaded ‘guilty’ to the offense.
“The Crown asked for a fine of $3000 dollars to be paid by defendants who appeared in court today. The defendants stated they didn’t mingle with anyone during the gathering. Their COVID-19 test has since returned a ‘negative’ result. The court has made the decision to fine them $2500 dollars each or face 250 days in prison.”
The Minister of Health Kim Wilson said: “Although it is disappointing that two of our visitors broke their quarantine requirements this weekend, I commend the outcome of today’s court decision.
“The prosecution of these individuals demonstrates that Bermuda takes the protection of our borders and the health of our people extremely seriously. I greatly hope that further breaches will not occur and potential offenders are now dissuaded from such actions.”
Update 4.20pm: A police spokesperson said, “A 35- year-old male and a 38-year-old female this morning appeared in Magistrates’ Court charged with Breach of COVID regulations.
“The couple from Maryland in the United States arrived at L.F. Wade International Airport On Sunday 1st November and indicated they were here to attend a wedding.
“A Port Health nurse outlined the COVD-19 restrictions to them, informed them that they were required to take another COVID-19 test prior to leaving the airport and that they were to remain in quarantine at their hotel until they were informed of their test results by the Health Department.
“It was explained to them that the test results would come back between 10 – 24 hours.
“Later that day, Health officials conducted an enquiry at the hotel where the couple were staying. It was ascertained that they had left to attend a wedding in St Georges.
“Health officials visited the location where the wedding was held and observed the couple mingling with other persons. They were not wearing masks at the time and were informed they had breached the quarantine restrictions set out by the Government of Bermuda.
“Arrangements were made for them to be returned to quarantine.
“They were subsequently arrested and detained at Hamilton Police Station after their test results came back negative.
“When they appeared in Magistrates’ Court this morning, the couple pleaded guilty to breach of quarantine regulations and were each fined $2,500.”
As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official: The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats: Live graph of all cases worldwide here
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- Timeline: Visual look at the timeline here
- Comprehensive: Our Covid-19 website here
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They don’t care in heir own country so why would they care about us. Please send tham back home and don’t let them come back.
how come Bermudians, in fact sitting MP’s , not fined then?
I agree with this in principle. However, at the same time I’m bothered by it because there seem to be two sets of rules depending on who you are friends with?
There are literally dozens of examples on Bernews alone of those in power, their friends, family and supporters breaking the same rules even when cases were at their worst with Covid cases.
However, the present government seem to pick and choose who and when is to be prosecuted, and when they will bend the rules and look the other way. Lead by example, not by intimidation!
Politicians are special and superior beings who set the laws and aren’t subject to them.
But our own Ministers and their guests violate the Law and not even a fine?
This is BS!!!
Deport them both
I agree. They should have been forced to pay the fine immediately or spend time in jail while awaiting the next flight to be sent off the island.
Bye Bye. You don’t resect us or our laws get lost, and trust the message gets to your home govt. We won’t tolerate it no matter who you are.
This is nothing better than the cop sitting behind a near invisible speed sign booking every out of towner who is not aware that it is there.
Yes, fine them, but burning visitors like that will ensure that they never return.
What?
Are you seriously saying that these visitors should have been treated more leniently for breaking a Quarantine which lasts like 6-8hours after their arrival?
They arrived with little time before an event the wished to attend, which is poor planning on their part, and then broke Quarantine because they are selfish and frankly, idiots.
Personally I think the $2500 fine is too little considering the fines were just as heavy if not moreso during lockdown for far more insignificant things such as a 70 year old man doing his allotted exercise on the railway trail within his allowed radius from his house.
They should have had to pay the fine immediately and remain in custody until the next flight out. They should not be allowed to enjoy the island if they have no respect for its laws.
They need to pay their fines, yet be quarantined, at their expense, without chance of further mingling, for 14 days. If they leave the island earlier, there’s no way of knowing if they test positive and have exposed all at the wedding.
Regulations on how to handle cases such as these need to be strengthened ASAP. Everyone who attended the reception is now at risk, and their families. A very serious situation.
250 days in prison….2000 dollar fine….tell me truthfully…did Plp MP Mr. Desilva and that other Plp MP get treated this way too…they gathered and they had no masks on at Blu …or are MPs exempt.
They certainly weren’t exemplary or examples…other than doing what not to do.
Don’t do as I do …just will not do.
See dat’….don’t do dat!
But but but …you just did dat.
I find it funny how you all pick on the ministers for fifteen minutes of silliness. It amazes me, you are comparing the two situations. Do you know if the ministers were tested? What those two visitors done could had been deadly full stop! That is the point of the case!
Those fools could have killed my parents or grandparents! Simply not acceptable!
Thanks Zane. Well done on sorting those buses out. Only 20 cancelled today.
It must be nice knowing that laws don’t apply to you elite PLP people.
Got any champagne youtube models and influencers parties coming up?
And the sheep will follow.