Cabinet meeting in Antigua and Barbuda (Photo by Office of the Prime Minister)
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has recently discussed the potential relaxation of the curfew law implemented on October 1, 2024, following changes to the Small Charges Act. This law prohibits minors from being outdoors alone between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM unless they have obtained special permission.
Following thorough consultations with senior officials from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, the Cabinet has decided to maintain the curfew law and ensure its strict enforcement.
The legislation imposes several penalties for parents or guardians of minors who violate the curfew: For a third offense, a fine of up to EC $5,000.
For earlier infractions, parents may receive warnings or progressively increasing fines starting at EC $2,000, rising to EC $3,000, and up to EC $5,000, along with potential six months’ imprisonment or community service.
Businesses such as bars, nightclubs, or events allowing unaccompanied minors during curfew hours will also face fines of EC $5,000 for each violation.
The Government regards the curfew as an essential component of a broader strategy aimed at reducing youth crime, minimizing unsupervised nighttime activities, and emphasizing the responsibility of parents and guardians in protecting minors’ safety.
What’s going on in this country? Has that curfew ever been implemented? No I don’t think so, if said be the case that murder and robbery won’t have taken place. The youths and them still roams the street nightly. So I would really like to know what curfew are they speaking about?
What curfew indeed? Furthermore, if there is a curfew, how is it to be applied on the nights during Carnival for youth-oriented shows which NEVER END BEFORE TEN O’CLOCK????
e.g. Jr Calypso/Local competitions, The Mr &Ms. Teenage Pageant, the usually long drawn out Opening of Carnival City? What nonsense!
That’s not being enforced. DO BETTER.
Look at tonight at Jam Corner…dem go out det from start to finish…
Curfew laws still in place? This is a clear sign that the crime situation is far from resolved.
I have to see it for me to believe it
There was even a curfew to begin with? Only Covid times yall were living up to curfews and policing. Now yall don’t care about anyone. These youths self are reckless and killing me. I don’t understand how they grow this way
Curfew? There’s teenagers in tshirt. What curfew we speak of? I’m lost cause I didn’t even realise there was a curfew in place.