One bus driver sentenced, another pleads not guilty

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Two bus drivers were arrested last week and made their appearances in District Court for violating conditions fo the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

Specifically the rule stating that each bus or taxi may only operate at half the seating capacity.

Eni Asovale and Samani Semi are the first arrests for non compliance with the coronavirus emergency declaration.

Both faced Class A misdemeanor charges.

Semi Asovale pled guilty and was sentenced to 6 months probation and a fine of $1,000 of which $900 was suspended.

Samani Semi pleaded not guilty and is to have a pre trial hearing on May 7.

At the Task Force meeting with Governor Lolo last Friday, Public safety Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson said police will not make arrests the first time.

They will explain the rules and give a warning. If they find that the non compliance is continuing, they will then arrest and charge the offender.

He reported that police are having a difficult time trying to enforce the regulations because the information is not getting to the public

Le’i asked for the public’s cooperation and to please have some consideration for police.

“They also have families that they want to be with, “ he said.

According to the commissioner, dealing with the StarKist buses is proving very difficult for police.

Buses that transport Starkist employees are exempt from the 6am – 6pm< hours of operation for businesses. Police have been enforcing the rule of only half the number of passengers in a bus. Governor Lolo Moliga has instructed the Task Force to notify StarKist that the government will pay for additional buses to transport their employees to accommodate for the half seating capacity rule.