People who refuse to wear masks facing £1,000 fines

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Islanders could soon be fined up to £1,000 if they fail to wear a mask when required.

The Health Minister, Deputy Richard Renouf, this week put forward legislation paving the way for masks to become a legal requirement for people aged 12 and over.

Due to face a vote next week, the proposals include provisions for a new criminal offence of failing to wear a mask when required to do so in certain public places – such as in shops – without a medical exemption or other “reasonable excuse.”

If an islander refuses to put on a mask after being asked to do so by a shop or business where it is required, the business would be able to contact the Police.

The maximum penalty will be a £1,000 fine, with Deputy Renouf explaining that it will be up to court to “judge the appropriate penalty as fairly as possible”, taking into account the risk and harm resulting from the breach.

Pictured: Judges will be able to impose a fine of up to £1,000 under the proposed new rules.

If the legislation is passed, the Minister will also be able to make orders clamping down on what has been termed “creative non-compliance” in the form of using “deliberately unsuitable materials (such as lace doilies)” for masks. Cloth masks are being recommended for healthy members of the community, while islanders at higher risk should wear surgical masks.

In a report accompanying his proposals in which he lays out the medical evidence supporting the wearing of masks, the Minister acknowledges that requiring individuals to wear face coverings is “clearly an imposition on their freedom”, adding that “the decision to allow such a requirement to be introduced is not taken lightly.”

Compulsory wearing of masks in communal areas in schools for Years 11, 12 and 13 came into force today, while teachers, staff and adult visitors are also being advised to wear nose and mouth coverings.

Pictured: Mask wearing for older students comes into force today.

It comes after a number of covid clusters were identified among older school students and follows a warning that young people partying and socialising had had a "significant" impact on the spread of the virus locally.

Some students and adults are exempt from the new mask advice, however, and will be able to apply for an exemption card through their school office. This includes:

• People who cannot put on, wear, or remove a mouth and nose covering because of a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
• People who would experience severe distress putting on, wearing, or removing a mouth and nose covering 
• People who are speaking to, or assisting, someone who relies on lip-reading, clear sound, or clear facial expressions to communicate