Over 100 Charged Within The First Three Days Of Mandatory 24-Hour Curfew In Grenada

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, April 3, 2020 (CMC) – Over 100 persons are now facing charges, for violating a mandatory 24-hour curfew, that was imposed by the government, in an effort to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The curfew, which came into effect, earlier this week, is part of the strategy, employed by the government to reduce the movement of people, as part of physical or social distancing measures .

The police told reporters, today, that most of the charges were laid, between 6:00am (local time) yesterday and 6:00am today – in which they held 44 persons.

Of those charged, 39 were arrested, this is in addition to five, who were arrested on the island of Carriacou.

The police report that overall, 115 persons have been charged, with most of them being arrested in the parish of St. George’s.

“This increase was largely due to the employment of drone technology, which now allows us wider capabilities to enforce these regulations,” said Head of the Community Relations Department, Superintendant, Vannie Curwen, who was speaking, this morning, during a virtual, daily briefing with reporters.

“You will appreciate a significant increase in the number of persons arrested, for the last three days and, as indicated two days ago, we will be employing drone technology, which we have done, and which is aiding us in enforcing the regulations, more stringently,” he said.

The police started using drone technology, earlier this week. 

According to the Emergency Powers legislation — which Grenada used as a guide to enforce the curfew and other regulations for the Limited State of Emergency — if anyone violates the regulations, they are liable to a fine of EC$1000 or 12 months imprisonment.

The regulation for the limited State of Emergency, among other things, restrict the movement of citizens, through a seven-day curfew that stated on March 30 at 7:00 p.m. (local time) and will end on April 6 at 7:00 p.m.

“During this period, every person shall remain confined to their place of residence (inclusive of their yard space), to avoid contact, outside of their household, except as provided in these Regulations or as may be authorised, in writing, by the Commissioner of Police,” said the regulation, which exempts all persons, classified as essential workers, to have free movement.

Essential workers include: members of the police force; prison officers; medical and specific types of healthcare providers, such as geriatric nurses, utility workers; and the media.

The regulation mandates that all religious and educational places of instruction or worship shall remain physically closed, and no person shall host or attend any social activity of any description, including weddings and funerals.