Night time curfew lifted, other restrictions being eased

By Delana Isles

THERE is now no curfew in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles informed the House of Assembly this week.

The emergency powers granted to Governor Nigel Dakin to impose this law came to an end at 5am on Monday (June 22) and have since been revoked.

There are now new expiration dates for several other restrictions imposed under the Emergency Powers Regulations.

On July 6, there will no longer be a need for residents to work remotely from home - all public sector and statutory body workers will be back out to work with no restrictions on the reopening of any business.

Also on July 6, the restriction of only 25 people to a place of worship will be lifted, as will the restriction of persons to funeral services and burial grounds.

Additionally, there will be no ban on social activities, sports and training events, as well as domestic travel from July 6.

The regulation guiding the restrictions on these activities expires on this date as well.

Meanwhile, July 22 remains the date that international airports and seaports reopen (except cruise ports).

Also on this day, businesses will no longer have to remain closed on Sundays.

Expirations on December 31 The attorney general also announced that several other regulations will remain in place until December 31 - chief among them the wearing of masks in public and the need for social distancing at all gatherings.

Also in place until December 31 are: the power to order self-isolation on the advice of the chief medical officer; the need to provide information for screening and clinical examinations; and the power to apply to a justice of the peace to order quarantine of anyone who refuses to do so on the advice of the chief medical officer.

The police’s authority to apprehend anyone to be placed in quarantine on the authority of the chief medical officer if that person fails to obey an order to do so, remains until the end of 2020.

Until December 31, a logbook of attendees must be kept and maintained for any indoor gathering at a church, funeral or wedding, and no visits will be allowed to a quarantine location, hospital or residential care home unless permitted by the relevant authorities beforehand.

The law preventing anyone from obstructing the chief medical officer, any health officer, public officer, police officer, any other law enforcement officer or any prison officer acting in the course of his duty granted under the regulations will also remain in place until the end of the year.

Likewise, the restriction remains in place for anyone who engages in price gouging and the emergency powers to impose a punishment on anyone who contravenes these regulations.

Until December 31, that person will still be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000 or to a term of imprisonment for three months, or to both.

It also remains within the governor’s power to supplement or provide further clarification of the regulations until this date.

Enforcement of these regulations will remain in place until December 31.

This means that a public health officer, a police officer or an officer of the relevant government department may visit any business, premises or public place to ensure compliance with the provisions of these regulations and any guidelines by the Government.

It will remain within the power of the aforementioned persons (until December 31) to order the immediate closure of a business or premises or part of the business or premises, or order the dispersal of persons at that business or premises or at any public, for failure to comply with the provisions.