SRD 10,000 fine for violators of lockdown

The police and other security authorities finally have enough tools to take firm action against people who violate the COVID-19 rules. The new law on the Execution of Civil Special Situation will be in effect for 6 months and states that violators will be given a fine of SRD 10 thousand max. Those who break this law again could end up in jail for six months and also could be given a hefty fine. The law was published on Saturday which means that it went into effect immediately. The new law will also authorize state employees to hand out fines. On Friday night 43 legislators voted in favor of this new law which was published the next day by Home Affairs Minister Bronto Somohardjo. The new law could also be extended with up to six months if the government deems this necessary. The government reportedly needs an additional SRD 1.5 billion to fight the coronavirus crisis.

Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk applauded the constructive manner in which the first law of the new parliament and the new government was adopted. He hopes that future sessions will also be this constructive. The VP believes that the new law will enable the government now more than ever to solve the many problems that have been created by the COVID-19 crisis. “Parliament has given us the tools to get to work and to cover the many costs in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and to lend a helping hand to the many companies that went belly-up and to help the taxi drivers and the boat owners and the many people in the hinterland who are isolated.”