WILLEMSTAD - In the period January to May 2021, the MEO inspection team issued a total of 317 fines for violation of the corona rules. People often failed, especially by not wearing a face mask.
The inspection team of the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) carried out more than 800 inspections in the first five months of the year.
Most companies adhered well to the corona measures. The high amounts of the applicable fines most likely had a preventive effect. If a business owner allows gatherings, he can expect a penalty of 1,000 guilders. For violation of the curfew, 1,000 guilders must also be charged. Anyone who does not comply with the rules for social distancing will receive a 500 guilder fine and those not wearing face mask will get a fine of 250 guilders.
Companies could receive the highest fine if they received customers instead of delivering during the lockdown. They risked a fine varying from 1,500 to no less than 10,000 guilders.
When the emergency law expires next week, on June 8, the MEO inspection can no longer impose sanctions. Ronny Cornelis of the inspection department of MEO hopes that parliament will come up with a private member's bill that can expand the powers of the inspection, so that they can act more strictly.