THE wearing of masks in public places in Dominica is now mandatory and persons who fail to comply with the law will be fined $75 East Caribbean Dollars.
On Wednesday, Dominica’s Acting Deputy Chief of Police, Davidson Valerie, announced that everyone will be required to use a mask while riding a bus, car or taxi or any public transportation, public buildings including supermarkets, retail and wholesale commercial establishments, bars, markets or any other similar types business, parks and beaches.
Valerie said, “The Environmental Health Services Covid-19 Amendment Regulations 2020 has made it mandatory that everyone wears a mask or a suitable covering over the nose and mouth,” he said.
Valerie added that the mask can be asked to be adjusted or removed temporarily for identification purposes.
Additionally, there shall be no gatherings of more than 50 persons unless permission has been granted by the Chief of Police and no person shall host a gathering of more than 50 persons unless the person has written permission from the Chief of Police, he said.
Valerie said, “An applicant requesting permission to host an event must ensure that all the necessary information is captured on the event application form. The application form must ensure that his name, home address, telephone number or numbers and any other information as may be requested by the Chief of Police, are documented. On receipt of the prescribed application form, a monitoring and approval team comprising personnel of the Dominica Police Force and the Ministry of Health will inspect each venue prior to approval.”
Application forms for that purpose were available at Discover Dominica Authority (DDA).
“On receipt of the prescribed application form, a monitoring and approval team comprising personnel of the Dominica Police Force and the Ministry of Health will inspect each venue prior to approval,” Valerie stated.
Anyone found in breach of the regulations will be charged $10,000 or be sent to prison for one year, Dominica News Online reported.
