Amendment To Allow Fines Of $500 Or $1,000
[Updated] Amendments to the Public Health Covid-19 Emergency Powers — which stated they have an operative date of November 30, 2020 – state that “a person who fails to take all reasonable steps, as required by regulation 3, to maintain appropriate physical distancing by not wearing a mask when one is required commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500, in respect of a first offence; a fine of $1,000, for a second or subsequent offence.”
Update 10.30pm: Minister of Health Kim Wilson mentioned this during this evening’s press briefing, saying: “We have amended our health regulations so that it is now an offence to not wear a mask in accordance with the guidelines. A person who fails to wear a mask when one is required commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to—
- (a) a fine of $500, in respect of a first offence;
- (b) a fine of $1,000, for a second or subsequent offence.”
Update Dec 2, 3.50pm: In providing today’s test results, the Minister of Health Kim Wilson also provided more information on the mask policy, sayong: “As I stated in my press conference remarks last night, health regulations have been amended to introduce fines for persons not wearing a mask in accordance with the law.
“A person who now fails to wear a mask when one is required commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to:
- a]a fine of $500, in respect of a first offence
- b]a fine of $1,000, for a second or subsequent offence.
“If anyone is confused regarding when to wear a mask, please visit coronavirus.gov.bm and read the guidance regarding mask-wearing. To be clear, if physical distance of 6ft [2 meters] cannot be maintained from others you must wear a mask. Unless:
- You are at home;
- You are with members of your household;
- While eating or drinking;
- Doing high exertion exercise [see gym guidance]; or
- A child under the age of 2 [see guidance].
“This mask requirement includes, but is not limited to:
- 1. Workers at all workplace premises – in accordance with workplace guidance
- 2. Passengers onboard public transport or in taxis must wear masks
- 3. Any person visiting any establishment [indoor or outdoor] [e.g. grocery store, shop, bank, office, etc] unless otherwise allowed by specific guidance [e.g. dining, gyms].
- 4. In public places [streets or parks] when other persons are present and 6 feet distance cannot be maintained.”
The Public Health [COVID-19 Emergency Powers] Amendment [No. 3] follows below [PDF here]
Shouldn’t it say “a person who fails to take all reasonable steps to maintain appropriate physical distancing OR not wearing a mask when one is required…” ?
Yes. The way it reads, you can be fined for wearing a mask.
Here we go with the totalitarian laws. SMH! This the first step that we are gonna allow. We are just gonna sit back and allow these draconian laws. All for some over blown virus that’s no more worse than the flu. Because this government are a bunch of followers who are not capable of thinking for themselves at what makes more scientific logical sense.
“Here we go with the totalitarian laws. … We are just gonna sit back and allow these draconian laws”
You sound like you got your education at Trump University.
I am not sure whether you think the world news organisations all got together with Dr. Fauci, Professor Chris Whitty and others to create an elaborate hoax or whether you think that 1.5 million deaths from a single virus is insignificant.
In either case I think you are wrong
And who along with big business and let’s add government to that equation that are making it like bandits while the rest of us are struggling.
Yet there are heavy restrictions on bringing in your own masks. One mask is $5 on average retail. You have to buy one every day or every few hours. Most people walk around with dirty masks. What problem has been solved here?
My masks have washable, replaceable filters. Are you buying a new hospital type mask every day?
Those are the most popular and only able to protect you for a few hours until it is time to replace it.
The wearing of masks is not for my protection, it is for the protection of others from me.
But don’t worry, Donald Trump kept making the same mistake
if you bring your mask in through the bpo you pay NO DUTY
disposble mask a very low priced on amazon
Government needs to publish Regulation 3. It does not appear possible to determine what this is from Bermuda Laws online consolidated laws. It is also not published here. This would make no case enforcable under this amendment.
Min Health – it is no good stating the amendment – the public needs to know what the law states. Business owners need to have clear detail of what Regulation 3 states so that they can advise workforces/customers etc. Guidance does not cut it. Threatening to fine everyone $500 when you have not published Regulation 3 could be un-constitutional.
Many of us support the concept and the need. Please ensure you get his right.
In the era of published laws on line we can now see how badly AG is supporting Government. Invite them to step up their game.
Obligation to maintain appropriate physical distancing
3All persons shall take all reasonable steps to maintain appropriate physical distancing (including following any relevant guidance) at all times in any public or private place.
See the Government Website at: http://bermudalaws.bm/laws/Annual%20Laws/2020/Statutory%20Instruments/Public%20Health%20(COVID-19%20Emergency%20Powers)%20(No.%203)%20Regulations%202020.pdf
Good day,
Could someone kindly share the link to book an appointment to get covid tested in the pop up testing place please and thank you
Hi, on the Govt site here: https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-get-tested
Does this include people not wearing their mask properly, ie under their nose. I see this all the time and it infuriates me!
An atrocity to constitutional rights, an abhorrence to all decency. Criminalizing and financially penalizing poor people over such. What is this the start of, or to?
This is the PLP Government doing the right thing for the majority of Bermudians and residents. If you don’t like it, go to the UK or the US where the infection rate is more than 5 times what it is in Bermuda
Hear hear!!
Remember Premier Burt has instructed the police to enforce all these Covid laws with zero tolerance. One problem seems to be the lack of detail in the laws many of which seem to rely on guidelines only.
No politician, not the Premier, not the Minister of Home Affairs, not the Minister of National Security, has the power to instruct the police.
That power rests exclusively with the Governor for very good reason.
So where are masks actually required?
I cannot find that precise information anywhere.
Whenever you are within 6 feet of any person outside of your home.
All persons shall take all reasonable steps to maintain appropriate physical distancing (including following any relevant guidance) at all times in any public or private place.
See the Government Website at: http://bermudalaws.bm/laws/Annual%20Laws/2020/Statutory%20Instruments/Public%20Health%20(COVID-19%20Emergency%20Powers)%20(No.%203)%20Regulations%202020.pdf
That’s what it says, but obviously it’s uneforcable bollocks.