“New Statutory Instrument extending the curfew has the full weight of the law,” warns Police Commissioner

Published by BBN Staff at May 17, 2021

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Posted: Monday, May 17, 2021. 5:58 pm CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: The Government of Belize, via Statutory Instrument (SI), has extended the curfew in place as a COVID-19 preventative measure, and Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is warning that the SI has the full weight of the law.

Williams had issued a notice on his Facebook page over the weekend about the extension of the curfew, but it was met with criticism as it was just a social media post. Williams later posted the SI, which raised questions on whether or not the document he posted was actually Gazetted.

Responding to the questions regarding the validity of the post, Williams stressed that he is under no obligation to inform the public of the extension of the curfew, but did so out of courtesy.

“I try to do this so as not to have the public being caught off guard, being issued a ticket for curfew, without them knowing that the curfew existed,” Williams said.

He stressed that the SI was Gazetted on May 15, 2021; which means that the law is officially in effect and Belizeans that violate the curfew commit an offense and will be sanctioned if caught.

According to SI 52 of 2021, the curfew, which is in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 5:a.m. Monday to Thursday, and midnight to 5:00 a.m on Friday and Saturday, has been extended for 30 days.

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