No charges for bar owner in safe zone breach

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No charges were laid against a bar owner who reportedly failed to produce proof of vaccination on Tuesday despite operating as a safe zone.

The news came from Satesh Moonasar, president of the Barkeepers’ and Owners’ Association of T&T (BOATT) after discussions with the St Andrew/St David County Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) Dr Allana Quamina-Best yesterday.

“The person could not provide the vaccination card at the point in time but they (inspectors) have revisited the location where the person did present their vaccination card and vaccination status and everything was in order.

The person was vaccinated and fully vaccinated so there is no issues pertaining to that at this time,” Moonasar told Guardian Media shortly after speaking with Dr Quamina-Best.

On Wednesday, Quamina-Best indicated that of the 13 bars inspected in her county as part of the safe zone initiative, one owner was unable to provide proof of vaccination.

The matter, she said, was reported to the police service.

Under the safe zone regulations, everyone found within the bubble must be fully vaccinated.

Employees who are medically unable to receive a vaccine must present a medical deferral or exemption certificate issued through a public institution along with a negative PCR test which must be done every two weeks.

Patrons who are medically unable to receive a vaccine are also subject to the same criteria, however, their negative PCR test result must be within 48 hours of being in the safe zone.

They are all required to have their immunisation card and documents on their person to present to inspectors.

Any breaches in these will result in a $5,000 fine for patrons and a $25,000 fine per breach for the business.

After three breaches, the business will be prohibited from operating as a Safe Zone. The initiative began on October 11.