Probe ongoing into Bolt’s party

Jamaican police say an investigation into whether Usain Bolt’s 34th birthday party broke coronavirus protocols is likely to take a further two weeks.

The party, held last month, was attended by a host of famous faces including footballers Raheem Sterling and Leon Bailey and entertainers Ding Dong, Christopher Martin and Munga Honourable.

Days after the party the eight-time Olympic gold medallist and 11-time World Championship gold medallist was diagnosed with coronavirus.

Both Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Minister of Health Christopher Tufton said there would be “no special treatment” for the superstar, and that an investigation was underway after viral videos emerged showing Bolt and guests dancing and singing at the party, in a way that appears to breach social distancing and mask-wearing protocols.

“An investigation is still ongoing into the breach of the Quarantine Act,” said Superintendent Anthony McLaughlin from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Unit, as reported by The Sunday Gleaner.

“Although a permit was granted, we still want to find out whether the social distancing rules were breached, and then with those who came into the country, we still want to find out if they actually breached the quarantine rules.

“We will prepare the file and send it to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“There is a wide range of things that can be done.

“I wouldn’t get into them now, but once we have prepared a file and sent it to the DPP, if there are breaches, it doesn’t matter where they [persons] are, they can be sanctioned.

“I’m hoping that within another two weeks or so we can wrap up the investigation.”

Bolt’s executive manager Nugent Walker would not comment on the investigation when approached by Caribbean media, only saying that the star was “in good health.”

Jamaica’s Minister of Sports Olivia Grange also did not comment on the investigation, but did announce on the same day as Bolt’s positive status was announced that a statue of the star would be erected in the Jamaican town of Falmouth.

The island nation has so far recorded more than 5,300 cases including 76 deaths. (Insidethegames)