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Open Your Eyes: The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) - impact of COVID-19


The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) was our guests to talk about the impact of COVID-19. John Burgos, Executive Director of BTIA says that seasonal workers have already been laid off and that permanent workers will experience a pay cut. He talked with us about what they are doing to weather the crisis.

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Ministry of Health - Technical Advisor -COVID-19



Dr. Natalia Largaespda Beer, Technical Advisor with the Ministry of Health concluded the show with the latest medical information on COVID-19

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Belize's First COVID-19 Case Had Contact With 34 Persons

Tonight, Belize still has only one confirmed case of COVID-19. There have been 64 total tests done and one positive result. That's the case out in San Pedro, a 38 year old female, a Belizean national who returned from Los Angeles on Thursday and started exhibiting symptoms on Friday.

She's in self quarantine and she's already getting over the flu symptoms. But what about all those she came in contact with? From the international flight she arrived on at the airport, then on a domestic flight to San Pedro, and then on the island.

At today's "Ask the Experts" session in Belmopan, the Director of Health Services said the mapping of her contacts has amounted to 34 people:

Dr. Marvin Manzanero - Director of Health Services
"The first preliminary exercise in San Pedro in terms of the mapping has happened. I know that the immediate contacts of the person who the index cases are going to be swabbed and those samples will be brought today. Its 34 people that have been initially mapped, it doesn't mean that these 34 people were in direct contact or in close contact but that's part of the mapping exercise. You have to map out and we have all the names, addresses and so forth. Not everybody from that 34 will swabbed, you just have to interact with them as the level of interaction and determine your risk based on that, so that has been completed for today."

Channel 7

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Vital Statistics Unit Implements COVID-19 Measures

The Attorney General's Ministry informs the public of the following conditions with respect to the delivery of services at the Vital Statistics Unit in Belize City effective immediately.

Services to the public will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The office will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On days of service to the public, the provision of all services continues under strict social distancing conditions, as guided by the Ministry of Health, in the wake of COVID-19. Accordingly, the following will apply:

1. The public is asked to refrain from accessing any services if they are ill and exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

2. The public is asked to refrain from accessing any services if either in isolation or quarantine.

3. Social distancing is not only encouraged but enforced.

4. No more than five persons are allowed in the building and are to keep no less than six feet away from each other.

5. The public is also asked to respect the four-feet rule that is presently in place when at the counter.

6. The public is asked to seek services only IF the matter is URGENT.

Notwithstanding the current state of affairs, the Ministry will do its best to continue service to the public. The support and cooperation of the public are appreciated.

Jorge M. Matus
Deputy Registrar (Ag.)

Lord Michael Ashcroft To Contribute $10 Million To Help Belize Combat COVID-19

Press Release: "COVID-19 has impacted many countries around the world and on March 23, 2020, our very own Belize confirmed its first case. Having spent the last two weeks in the country and personally witnessing its impact on the overall economy of Belize and the lives of ordinary Belizeans, Lord Michael Ashcroft has agreed to contribute BZ$10 Million to the national effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This sum will be deposited with the Belize Bank, who will be the custodian of the funds to be disperse on behalf of Lord Ashcroft."

Also:

Live update today at 3pm by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and leader of the Opposition Hon. John Briceno.

Tuni in for a Live Stream on the Government Press Office Facebook Page

Live Update on COVID-19 Situation in Belize and Economic Relief Package by Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and leader of the Opposition Hon. John Briceno.

Government Of Belize Enacts Quarantine Order For Entire Country

The Government of Belize, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, and in an effort to mitigate the negative impacts that could result from a potential community spread of the deadly virus enacted Statutory Instrument Number 38 of 2020 on March 25, 2020.

This Order made by the Quarantine Authority of Belize, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by section 6 of the Quarantine Act, Chapter 41 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, outlines a set of immediate measures to be implemented by the Government that are deemed as necessary to safeguard public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This Order shall apply to the country of Belize with the exception of Ambergris Caye, which is governed by the Belize Constitution (Emergency Powers) (Ambergris Caye) Regulations, 2020, provided, however, that on the expiration of the period of emergency pursuant to the Proclamation declaring a state of public emergency in Ambergris Caye, this Order shall apply to the entire country of Belize.

These measures, referred to generally as the QUARANTINE (COVID 19 EMERGENCY MEASURES) ORDER, 2020 include the following:

1. Limitation of gatherings of ten persons or less

Subject to the provisions of this Order, no person shall gather in numbers of more than ten persons at a time, anywhere in Belize, whether in any public place, public space or on private property provided that a gathering of ten or more persons on private property is allowed where persons are residents of that property. Except for residents of private property, persons in a gathering of ten persons or less shall maintain a distance of no less than three feet between each person.

2. Social distancing

For the purposes of this Order, every person shall practice social distancing.

3. Transportation

� Notwithstanding the restriction and limitation on public gathering, the provision of public transportation by bus is limited to the seating capacity of the bus.

� Every bus operator arriving at a terminal in Belize shall park the bus, instruct the passengers to disembark and oversee the sanitization of the bus by personnel on site at the terminal.

� Prior to boarding any bus at a terminal, every passenger shall wash and sanitize his hands at the conveniences provided at the terminal.

4. Closure of businesses

The following establishments shall close until further notice-

� casinos and gaming establishments;

� spas, beauty salons and barber shops;

� gymnasiums (gyms), sporting complexes;

� discotheques, bars, rum shops and night clubs;

� restaurants, saloons, diners, and other similar establishments, provided that restaurants, saloons diners and other similar establishments may operate to offer take out services only;

� any other establishment or business designated by the Quarantine Authority by Notice published in the Gazette.

5. Social distancing protocols

Every business establishment allowed under this Order to operate shall�:

� ensure that all customers and staff maintain physical distancing of no less than three feet (3ft.) in or outside their business;

� determine the number of persons that may be permitted in the establishment at any one time;

� within twenty-four hours of the commencement of this Order, place distance markers three feet apart, indicating where each customer must stand on a line at a check out point;

� within twenty-four hours of the commencement of this Order, place distance markers three feet apart on the outside of the establishment, indicating where customers must stand while waiting to enter the establishment.

6. Restriction on social activities

No person shall host nor attend-

� a private party which includes any person from outside of the immediate household of the house occupant;

� a recreational or competitive sporting event;

� a wedding which hosts ten or more persons other than the bride, bridegroom, official witnesses and the marriage officer;

� a banquet, ball or reception;

� any social event;

� any other ceremony of public worship in any facility or public place which involves the participation of any member of the general public or a congregation;

� a funeral, except ten members of the immediate family and at least one officiant and essential mortuary staff; or

� a meeting of a fraternal society, private or social club or civic association or organization.

7. Closure of markets and other public places

In the interest of public health and safety, the Quarantine Authority may by Notice published in the Gazette, declare the closure of any market or other public place.

8. Reporting of suspected COVID 19 to Ministry of Health

A person who develops flu-like symptoms and who reasonably suspects he may have had contact with someone who has travelled to a country affected by COVID 19 or is infected with COVID 19-

� shall immediately inform the Ministry with responsibility for health; and

� go into self-isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry responsible for health.

� Every person, upon entry into Belize from any port of entry, shall (1) immediately inform the Ministry with responsibility for health of their entry into Belize; and (2) go into self-isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry with responsibility for health.

9. Employers to grant permission

� An employer shall have a duty if satisfied that an employee is able to discharge the duties of that employee from the employee's place of residence, to grant the employee permission to do so without imposing any adverse consequences to the employee in respect thereof.

� An employee whose assigned tasks can only be discharged at the place of employment is required to attend for work at that place unless otherwise permitted by the employer as a part of the employer's measures to combat the risk of transmission of the COVID 19 at the place of employment. The grant of permission to an employee under this paragraph shall not count against the leave entitlements of that employee unless otherwise agreed between the employer and the employee.

10. Offence and Penalty

A person who contravenes or incites a person to contravene any provision of this Order, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars or to imprisonment for six months or to both fine and imprisonment.

11. Duration of order

The Order shall be valid until revoked by the Quarantine Authority.

Anyone having any questions regarding this Order, may contact the Ministry of Health in Belmopan at 0-800-MOH-CARE (0-800-664-2273), or visit www.covid19.bz for more information.

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"Miss I think I need help but I really don't have enough credits to call those cell numbers." - caller to our toll free hotline.

The public is reminded that you can call our toll free 0-800-MOH-CARE (0-800-664-2273) number anytime for any health related information or guidance even for mental health counseling. This is a FREE call you make to us. At any rotation, a mental health counselor is in the room to take your call and if someone with that background is not there, we take your information and have someone call you back. Don't be afraid to call and ask for help. We are all in this together and we will help you get through it one call at a time.

Ministry of Health Belize

The Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte Explains the Safety Measures Enacted under the Quarantine Act signed March 25, 2020.

Update on the COVID-19 Situation in Belize will be live streamed on the Government of Belize Press Office Facebook page, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Stay tuned!

Co-Chairs of the National Oversight Committe, Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Opposition Leader Hon. John Brice�o schedule to host the press conference.

Press Conference LIVE with the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. John Brice�o, as they give an update on the COVID-19 status in Belize and measurements.



10am Press conference from the PM of Belize today. Here are some notes:

There was a third COVID case diagnosed yesterday in Belize City.

National State of Emergency starting April 2nd at 12.01am. Thursday morning. This INCLUDES San Pedro which is currently in quarantine.

Curfew from 8pm to 5am. Everything closed. NO ONE on the streets except a few designated people.

At 5am, there can be movement from a few essential personnel - or people seeking medical care.

8am to 7pm: Allowed OPEN: Pharmacies, Convenience Stores, Supermarkets/Food Stores, Banks, Hardware Stores, Fuel Stations and Restaurants for Take-out.

You must be "moving with purpose" or you can be arrested, fined and confined.

Otherwise, NO MOVEMENT.

In terms of healthcare needs, we are very well funded and preparing for the worst-case scenario over the next 9 months. 103 COVID tests done/3 positive. 32 new ventilators, portable ultrasounds, portable X-rays.

There is a law enforcement plan in place working with the military and the coast guard.

People "trapped" on Ambergris Caye (as addressed by PM) -- vendors, construction and hotel workers without jobs -- we want to see them able to return to homes on the mainland. Government will arrange for an orderly transfer back to communities of origin after the 14-days is up on Ambergris Caye (need more details)

According to mayor immigration stamps are not necessary whilst we are in a state of emergency

San Pedro Scoop

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TODAY TUESDAY 31 MARCH -
UPDATES FROM OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE'S PRESS CONFERENCE

1. $42 million dollars (BZD) from the Climate Resilience Improvement Program will be diverted to the COVID-19 Relief fund

2. $24 million dollars (BZD) will be disbursed to Boost in about 3 weeks (via IDB)

3. $50 million dollars from Social Protection Program

4. $10 million dollars that was for Infrastructure is being negotiated to have it diverted to the Ministry of Human Development to expand the Food Pantry program into rural areas

STATE OF EMERGENCY

5. State of Emergency goes into effect THURSDAY at 12:00am

6. From 8pm - 5am, EVERYTHING will be closed, NO ONE can be on the streets

7. No loitering, wondering, assembling or moving at any public place or on any public roads

8. If you are found moving, police can stop and question you. If you lack a good justification (to be listed below), you can be arrested and charged

9. You can only move during the day (5am - 8pm) to purchase essential needs, to get medical attention, or if you are an essential worker (Security Guards, Agriculture or Factory Workers, for example)

10. Essential Workers who can work during curfew and daytime hours: Government workers,

medical, public utilities, social workers, sanitation workers, productive sectors (agriculture and potable water), Statutory Bodies, State-run bodies)

11. Businesses that can operate from 5am - 7pm: Public transportation, Fuel stations, bakeries and tortilla factories, milling factories, port operations, farm operations, restaurants (takeout only), meat shops,

12. Businesses that can operate from 8am - 7pm financial institutions, markets, wholesalers and retailers, hotels, mechanic shops, hardware stores, pharmacies. If you are not one of those businesses, you CANNOT OPEN AT ALL DURING THE STATE OF EMERGENCY

13. All Ports of Entries remain CLOSED

14. Any Belizean who enter Belize during this time will be placed at a Quarantine Center for the duration of their required quarantine (likely 14 days)

Ambergris Today

Have a blessed evening my fellow Belizeans, informing you all that our Central Medical Laboratory performed 12 tests today and all came out negative to COVID-19, a total of 115 tests have been done and we remain with 3 COVID-19 positive cases.

As posted on our Ministry of Health Facebook Page, we have the PPEs and masks required for our staff and at the moment we are procuring more.

The National State of Emergency should help us contain COVID-19 but the cooperation of all Belizeans is needed. We need to abide by the law for the safety of everyone. May the Lord bless and protect all of us.

Belize confirms 4th case of COVID-19

Director of Health Services, Dr.Marvin Manzanero, confirmed that the 4th infected person is a 55 year old man of San Ignacio Town. The patient is currently in isolation at the Western Regional Hospital. Reports are that he began with a fever and had gone to 2 private clinics for care. He was referred to the WRH where he currently remains. Officials are conducting a mapping exercise to ascertain how the patient was infected. Love News understands that the man has not traveled recently nor has he had interactions with anyone who has. This may be the first indication of a community spread. The DHS urges everyone to adhere to the regulations under the State of Emergency which will prove essential in mitigating the spread of the virus

Ministry of Health Confirms Fifth Case of COVID-19 in Belize

Today, at 03:19 a.m., the expanded testing protocol of the Ministry of Health identified a fifth case of COVID-19. The patient is a Belizean student who returned from Florida. The patient arrived in Belize on Friday, April 3rd, and is in self-isolation at a quarantine facility. He is without symptoms and stable.

In reference to patient #4, the mapping exercise of the Ministry of Health has allowed for the identification of close contacts of that patient in both San Ignacio and Belize City where swabs were taken on April 3rd and 4th.

A total of 102 samples were processed on April 4th and into the early hours of today. The samples processed included close contacts from both Belize City and San Ignacio and that of health care workers in the Cayo District who had been in contact with patient #4. In addition, with the heightened surveillance, swabbing was expanded to those in quarantine in Corozal, where patient #5 was identified.

The remaining 101 samples were all negative for COVID-19, and therefore, the Ministry is still unable to determine who the infected contact was for patient #4.

The Ministry of Health's surveillance efforts are ongoing and remain in a heightened mode. For this reason, the Ministry emphasizes more than ever the importance of the Belizean community's compliance with social distancing protocols and staying at home unless it is absolutely necessary to leave the house. Ensure at all times proper hand hygiene and to follow the information as it becomes available.