New penalties and fines for failing to comply with masking protocols and COVID-safe measures have been announced by the Government.
They all come into effect from tomorrow.
Minister for Commerce Faiyaz Koya has announced that if someone fails to wear a mask or face covering in a required setting, they will be given a spot fine of $250.
He says businesses failing to maintain records or have QR codes available for scanning can be fined up to $1000.
Koya adds the business and official responsible will also get charged.
The Minister further says failure to undertake symptoms and temperature checks will incur a $250 fine for individuals and $1000 for the business.
He adds high-risk businesses failing to verify vaccination status will face a $1000 fine while the official responsible for undertaking that task or in charge of the premises at the time will be fined $250.
Koya adds public service vehicles not complying with the capacity requirements will face more stringent fines.
He says this includes the driver being fined $100, the passenger fined $100 and the permit holder or company fined $1000.
Koya further adds that in addition, the permit holder or company can face a $4,000 fine for not following protocols for Land Transport services.
He stresses that a business that is issued one infringement notice could face double the fine for the second notice together with the closure of the business.
Minister for Commerce, Faiyaz Koya says they are not locking down any communities, the curfew is not changing, businesses are not being shut, the borders are not closing and schools are not closing either.
He highlighted this while announcing new fines and penalties to ensure strict adherence to COVID-safe measures this afternoon.
Koya says because the Omicron variant does not present the same level of threat to our highly-vaccinated population, the majority of the health measures are not changing.
Koya says all public service vehicles including inter-island vessels must operate at 80% capacity and ensure that all passengers are wearing masks.
He says high-risk businesses must verify vaccination status of the visitor, client or customer using the VAX-Check Tool and adhere to COVID-safe practices.
The Minister has stressed businesses and offices must display a QR code and ensure that staff, visitors and customers scan before entering the premises and a manual register must be maintained for those who do not have a smartphone.
He adds businesses must prominently display at all points of entry a signage on the maximum allowable capacity and ensure that all COVID safe measures are followed and conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks for visitors, clients and customers on the business premises. Koya says they will not hesitate to fine people, revoke permits to operate or shut down businesses, including hotels that blatantly disregard any COVID safe measures.
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