Commissioner of Police, Trevor Botting is warning against the spreading of unverified information relating to COVID-19.
According to the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations 2020 that came into operation on March 26th, 2020, no person shall publish or cause to be published, posted or re-posted, over any media platform inclusive of social media, any purported news or report, or purported statement of fact, knowing or have reasonable cause to suspect that the same: (a) is untrue or false; or (b) may incite public fear, panic or ethnic hatred
Commissioner Botting said, “You are advised to refrain from spreading false and unverified information, rumours -FAKE news related to COVID-19. Spreading these untruths will cause unnecessary public panic. This is an Offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars or a term of imprisonment for three months, or to both such fine and imprisonment. I am asking you to please be responsible and only use authentic and official messaging from the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health should be your only source for COVID-19 information”.
If you have information on anyone responsible for sharing fake news please contact Pofscovid19@tcipolice.tc.