Editorial: A CALL TO CLAMPDOWN ON THE COVID CRIMINALS

With the RCIPs confirming that they are investigating yet another breach of the COVID-19 isolation protocols, it begs the question of when a serious example will be made under the law of such violations.

It could very well mean that in cases where the rules are broken, the full extent of the law should be brought to bear on the guilty party (or parties).

That means those in isolation who leave the assigned premises without authorisation and those who access the isolation locations without clearance - for whatever reasons.

After all, fourteen days under supervised isolation is a small inconvenience when measured against the public health (and further economic risk) of endangering the entire community.

With confirmed cases rising since the ‘gradual’ reopening of the borders, it behoves every citizen and visitor to stick to the rules ‘like glue’.

There’s really no reason to deviate from protocols which are clearly in the public’s interest. Such behaviour is unacceptable and highly irresponsible.

There might be a case to made over how the system is ‘policed’ and how apparently easy it is to ‘escape’ the technology.

Nevertheless, with the extensive support systems in place for those persons who need to be isolated, any breach of the protocols should be treated as a flagrant violation of the law.

It’s important to stress that the Cayman Islands Isolation and Quarantine system is backed by law. This is serious business. And the risk of a community-spread with all its implications is terrifying at best.

There are already around 1,000 persons in isolation both at home and in government-managed facilities and that number is expected to increase in the coming weeks.

The risks greatly outweigh any sense of reward - mischievous or malicious - from breaking the protocols.

COVID-19 is still a clear and present danger to Cayman.

With the law (only?) now fully in place - and there might be some legitimate questions about that process as it expires in January - 14 days in preventive isolation versus 730 days in prison plus a hefty fine seems a small price to pay and something worth reflecting on…during the comparatively short fortnight in COVID-19 quarantine.

Handcuffs or bio-bracelets?