By Sue-Ann Wayow
FOR committing any offence under the Quarantine Act, a person may now face a fine of $350,000 or one year imprisonment.
This is a significant jump from the previous penalty of $6,000 and six months in prison.
The stricter penalties for quarantine was necessary as Government continues in its attempt to clamp down on Covid-19, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley had said on Saturday.
A Bill seeking to amend the Quarantine Act, Chap 28:05 was brought to the Senate on Monday by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi.
For refusing to tell the truth to an officer or person with authority under the Act, wilfully disobeying instructions under the Act or assaulting, obstructing or bribing any person under the Act and any other breaches of the Act, an individual can be fined up to $350,000 and or have imprisonment for one year under the new amendment.
Al-Rawi explained to AZPNews.com on Wednesday that the $350,000 and the one year imprisonment time were the ceiling numbers and fines and imprisonment time could vary depending on the situation.
He said, “Our only chance of recovering our society’s opening is by managing the positives. We have to make sure that they do not go out there and infect other persons. As we make another attempt at re-opening our economy, at re-opening our borders, our ability to stop the spread of Covid-19 will depend mainly on the positive persons.”
Al-Rawi emphasised, “We have to make sure people tell the truth.”
The Bill will be laid again on Wednesday in the Senate and then on Friday, in the House of Representatives.
