#TurksandCaicos, February 13, 2021 – A souvenir shop owner in Grace Bay was stunned by a ticket which fined her the maximum $5,000 for not having a sign posted to say how many people are allowed into the store at a time; and even more stunned that officers seem to pick and choose who faces the fine and who does not.
“I am not being treated fairly. I feel singled out, I feel like nobody cares
for the local businesses. After the
ticket, I took it upon myself to take videos – over 30 different stores – where
there is no sign informing of capacity.”
Tropical Tees & Things has been open ten
years in Grace Bay at the Regent Village and its owner, Chevette Capron has
taken her concern to authorities at the Ministry of Heath, Royal Turks and
Caicos Islands Police and elected government officials only to be told to fight
out her complaint in court.
“When I prepared my business to be allowed
to be reopened, no one told me that I had to have this sign. I have never seen this sign around and was
unaware I needed this sign. When I was
approved by Health inspectors to reopen last year about two months before we brought
the flights back in, I was given a list of things I needed to do to
comply. I did those things and my
approval to open was granted. I was
fully compliant.”
Mrs. Capron said she installed signs for
social distancing, signage for face mask and covering and sanitization station
was set up in the store. At no point was
she asked to erect a capacity sign.
“I later learned that it is advisable to
inform the store owner about these small infractions before issuing a ticket. The officer said he told the cleaning lady
about it. Unfortunately, the lady I have
to clean up does not speak English and did not pass that message along to me.
I was also told that the $5,000 fine is
meant for big businesses which break the law.
I am not a big business; my store size is 720 square feet. I feel I have no representation and I feel the
government is not looking out for the small business person. Our businesses are
being crushed. The Department is
responsible and should be making sure the business owners are aware of the
changes and breaches.”
Changes in the Public Health Regulation
during the Coronavirus Pandemic have been many.
Dozens of lists of the constantly updated requirements are issued, some
never make public publication.
“I have been looking for the notice and no
one can find it. I was actually told to fight it out in court.”
Capron, who prides herself on being a law-abiding
citizen said that approach does not sit well with her. Chevette Capron believes a judge would be
compelled to deliver a verdict and fine based on the written law. Although there are lesser fines, because of
the lack of clarity about the regulations; Tees and Things could end up being
ordered by a court to pay the $5k.
“I’m not asking for a handout. If I should have had the sign, then be fair
and give me the warning. Be fair and
give me a fine that suits my business size and the infraction. The fact that you’re going to take this harsh
approach is just heartless. “
Mrs. Capron explained business remains very
slow; only pulling in about 10 percent of former revenue. She works in the store herself, as a
cost-cutting measure.
Tropical Tees and Things now has the sign
with her capacity in the shop window.
The promise is the dispute the ticket.
