Media reports say the government is extending the curfew for another 30 days after the current one was set to expire next week. The extended curfew will remain at 10pm to 5am. Additionally, the curfew on March 3rd, elections day, will reportedly start at 8pm instead.
Another new regulation is in relation to travelers entering the country. Rather than having to be tested upon entry, they can simply provide proof that they have received two doses of the COVID 19 vaccine. In addition, PCR tests, which were required to be taken 72 hours prior to arrival, will now only need to be 96 hours prior.
Unofficial reports These new regulations come into effect on February 28.
Channel 7================
Government to extend curfew for another month; 8PM curfew for municipal elections Late Friday evening, February 26th, reports surfaced about the amendment of Statutory Instrument (SI) 14 of 2021, extending the current curfew for an additional 30 days beginning March 4th, 2020. Currently, the curfew starts at 10PM; however, on Wednesday, March 3rd, the curfew will be 8PM due to the Municipal Elections. The public is reminded that Wednesday is not a public or bank holiday, but employers are expected to give workers time to go vote.
The SI also saw changes exempting testing on anyone landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport with proof of having received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The other amendment deals with PCR tests for visitors seeking to enter Belize. In the past, it was required to COVID test 72 hours before travel. According to the amendment, a PCR test can now be taken 96 hours prior to traveling to Belize.
The amended SI prohibits liquor sales up until 6PM on the day of Municipal Elections.
More in the San Pedro Sun============
No Relaxation of Quarantine MeasuresThe current quarantine regulations, including a curfew between ten p.m. and five a.m., expire next week. But if you thought that the declining COVID-19 numbers would translate into a relaxation of measures, think again. Over the past week, health officials have been meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs to determine the way forward. Today, Health and Wellness Minister Michel Chebat confirmed with News Five that this is no time to be softening quarantine regulations, especially with vaccines on the way.
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness"We are not at this point going to be relaxing. We are so close to the vaccine and we know that the vaccine will be a game changer for us and we can't just yet at the Ministry of Health and Wellness open the flood gates. We need to continue taking precautions, we need to continue to adhering to the curfew which will continue; we need to continue adhering to the public health measures, the masks, the social distancing, the washing of hands. These are all prescriptions that have allowed us to get to where we are today in terms of the rate and the number of new infections. And so it is our intention to continue along that path until we have our vaccines in country."Channel 5