8 Americans fined $32,000 for flouting COVID-19 protocols in Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis: A strong, no-nonsense message was sent when eight (8) US citizens were arrested, formally charged and fined for violating their quarantine conditions on the island of Nevis. The eight offenders appeared before Charlestown Magistrate's Court on March 17, 2021 via the virtual trial. Read More: Avoiding COVID-19 jab might cost high price, says Dr Wilkinson

According to Superintendent Cromwell Henry, speaking at the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) COVID-19 Press Briefing on March 17, each of the eight pleaded guilty and was each charged $4,000 (US $1500) to pay immediately or six months to serve in jail. They remain in the quarantine facility in Potworks, Nevis, while deciding to pay the fines, after which they may leave the Federation.

The Americans were arrested, charged and subsequently fined for two security breaches that took place at a resort in Nevis, which was approved to provide a quarantine option for a vacation in place, making it possible for guests to COVID-19 negatively with their arrival test to use the services and amenities of the resort without leaving the property. However, the eight US citizens violated the arrangements.

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On Thursday, March 11, the first offense occurred when two guests illegally left the premises for about two hours. The second security breach took place in the early morning hours of Saturday morning, March 13 and involved six guests who also managed to leave the resort's premises without permission.

The eight offenders were removed from the resort and taken to a government quarantine site until they left. The National COVID-19 task force also suspended the "holiday in place" instruction for the tour group at the resort until all matters have been fully investigated and adequate measures to deal with safety incidents have been put in place.

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A government statement said: "The COVID-19 National Task Force remains vigilant to work with all government agencies to protect national borders, control the spread of infection and enforce the COVID-19 Act ( prevention and control) and its related statutory rules and orders (SROs).”