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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.
The San Pedro Sun
San Pedro Town installs temporary health care center to treat flu and potential Coronavirus cases
As the pandemic COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to wreak havoc around the world, Belize is already dealing with its first three cases. San Pedro Town has taken the initiative to create a temporary medical facility center, where patients who test positive and need to be in intensive care and observation can be treated. The center, called San Pedro Care Center, counts with an isolation unit, a flu clinic, a pharmacy and a temporary isolation area. All islanders with any flu-like symptoms are asked to not visit the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, but may do so at this new health center located in the Mar de Tumbo area, south of downtown San Pedro. Opening Hours are: Weekdays, 8am - 5pm and on Weekends, 8am - 12 noon.
Various Belizean Sources
Meeting Monday of the Caye Caulker Health Team and Police Department
The Caye Caulker Health Team and the Police Department held a meeting this morning at 9:00 a.m. and we will be joining forces to ensure that social distancing is adhere to and with the new S.I. pass warnings will be conducted today and there after, the police department will bring forth charges.
The public health inspector will be monitoring all business places to ensure that the social distancing is being adhere to. Please do not send out your child after 6 p.m., and if you can have an adult do the errands, as is stated in the S.I. As a community, we must do our part to safeguard our families and community.
Thank you
Message from Miss Teen Mundial Belize
Would you save your mother or father's life? What about your grandparents or other close relatives or friends? What about your life, your spouse, your children? What about people you don't even know? If you could save lives by staying at home, would you do it? And would you ask others all over the world to do so, too?
I know it's the right thing to do and the ONLY WAY to protect ALL our loved ones, our communities and the healthcare professionals on the frontline.
As your Miss Teen Mundial Belize I feel compelled to make a difference and use my voice in the COVID19 pandemic. We are "stuck" in four walls all over the world, but feel we have a purpose and are choosing to use this time of uncertainty to inspire each other to be world changers!
One good cure for cabin fever? Foster a Saga Humane Society pet!
Just a few of the souls fostered in the past few days! Thank you all for stepping up to help!
There are plenty more at the shelter who could use some love.
">Tropic Air Cargo and Passenger Flight Schedule
CARGO FLIGHTS (Mon, Wed, Fri only)
To / From San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Belize City, Placencia, Dangriga and Punta Gorda
Station Hours
Belize City Municipal > 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri)
San Pedro > 7am to 2:30pm (Mon to Fri)
Corozal > 7am to 2pm (Mon to Fri)
Caye Caulker > 9:30am to 2:30pm (Mon to Fri)
Dangriga > 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri)
Punta Gorda > 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri)
Placencia > 10am to 5pm (Mon to Fri)
Cargo flights to/from Orange Walk, Belmopan and San Ignacio are suspended until further notice.
Belize Bank Update: "The Belize Covid-19 Response Fund"
The BZ810 million donation from Lord Michael Ashcroft has been deposited in a bank account with the Belize Bank in the name of "The Belize COVID-19 Response Fund" and some monies have already been disbursed from the Fund and utilized as part of the Ministry of Health's national preparedness initiative to combat the virus.
R TILLETT BUS LINE CANCELS RUNS
As a result of the third confirmed COVID19 case in Belize City, R TILLETT BUS LINE will be cancelling the two runs we had mentioned on our earlier post. We understand this is a prompt update and many won't be informed in time,therefore we will only have one bus leaving San Felipe to transport village passengers to Orange Walk Terminal. We apologize for any inconvenience caused but hope that we all understand this is for all our safety.
Latest information on Channel 20 at 7:00 a.m.
Rules, opening hours, government offices open/closed....these are all changing by the day. We got a tip that if you tune into channel 20 at 7:00 a.m., you are able to hear the latest official news about town council and other business closures, openings, or changes.
Changes at Superbuy in San Pedro
Just an FYI to anyone that goes to Superbuy in town. There was an additional sign that said they will not be allowing customers inside.
BELIZE CONSERVATION INVESTMENT
The Trust was established in 1996 for the sole purpose of financing conservation efforts in Belize's protected areas. PACT, with the passing of the 2015 amendment act is now responsible for the financing and management of the entire National Protected Areas System (NPAS) . The NPAS is comprised of 103 individual sites and is one of the most diverse throughout the region and includes nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural monuments, and national parks.
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!
Social Security Temporary Hours
Disinfecting San Pedro
Today we where out disinfecting all the public spaces in town to help in minimizing the COVID-19, was well accepted by the community we will continue doing it on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
PROOF OF MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
In an effort to ensure that motorist adhere to the requirement of holding compulsory thirdparty motor vehicle insurance during the COVID 19 pandemic, the general insurance
companies in Belize will be providing continued service, whether by limited office interactions or only by non-face-to-face contact, including telephone, email or WhatsApp
communication.
Insurers will require that clients/policyholders provide the required documents for processing the application of insurance including copies of identification, licensing and
title ownership and pay their premium.
Social Security Board's Preparedness and Response Actions in the wake of COVID-19
The Social Security Board remains committed to safeguarding the health, safety and well-being of our staff, customers and other stakeholders. In light of this, the following measures have been put into effect:
1. Unemployment Assistance: We wish to inform the general public that while Social Security will support the unemployment initiative to facilitate payments where possible. The application form will not be available on the COVID-19 website until this Friday. Please continue to check the official website at www.covidl9.bz for information, application forms and updates in this regard.
Water for San Pedrito Today
On Tuesday, March 31st, 1:30PM, Hope Haven volunteers will be at Teacher Elsie Velasquez' residence, supplying water to those in need.
Water is being donated by Kevin and Nova Parel from Casa Nova at Secret Beach. Up to 1 (one) 5-gallon container per family please, and as always, we ask 1 family representative to show up. Everyone is asked to practice social distancing, a safe 6 feet apart minimum.
Together we can help each other.
Meeting with the Caye Caulker Health Team and the Police Department
The Caye Caulker Health Team and the Police Department held a meeting Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. and we will be joining forces to ensure that social distancing is adhere to and with the new S.I. pass warnings will be conducted today and there after, the police department will bring forth charges.
The public health inspector will be monitoring all business places to ensure that the social distancing is being adhere to. Please do not send out your child after 6 p.m., and if you can have an adult do the errands, as is stated in the S.I. As a community, we must do our part to safeguard our families and community.
BTB notice to tourism stakeholders
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) continues its efforts to keep tourism stakeholders updated on the measures being taken in Belize as it relates to COVID-19. While the Ministry of Health and the Government of Belize continue to focus on containing and controlling the spread of COVID-19 in country, the BTB is also ensuring that plans are put in place for the recovery and rebuilding of our tourism industry.
As such, our teams have implemented the following:
In an effort to protect our stakeholders and the general public resulting from COVID-19, and in line with the Government's prescribed social distancing measures, effective Monday, March 30th, 2020, our offices are closed to the public until further notice.
The SISE TC has updates for the times
In related news, all parks and recreational facilities are closed.
And it's illegal tot burn your plastic garbage. You're actually not supposed to burn anything right now, but, just never burn plastic again, unless you want to severely diminish the efficacy of your lungs. ALL TWIN TOWN RESIDENTS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS KINDLY NOTE THAT IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE DURING THIS TIME, TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS WHEN OUT IN THE PUBLIC.
WITH THIS SAID KINDLY NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
*ONE FAMILY MEMBER SHOULD GO TO STORE/MARKET
*LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME...
Notice to Stakeholders:
Cruise Lines Extend Suspension of Cruises
Earlier this month all cruise lines announced that they would pause operations for 30 days. However, as the COVID-I9 pandemic continues to evolve, many of the major cruise lines have pushed back their starting date to resume operations. The following updates have been provided thus far:
Carnival Cruise Line - all cruises suspended until May 11, 2020.
MSC Cruises - suspension of cruises extended through to May 29, 2020.
Royal Caribbean Cruises - suspension of sailings of their global fleet extended to May 12, 2020, with some exceptions...
Travel Alert - U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize (30-MAR-2020)
On Monday March 30, 2020, The Prime Minister announced his intent to request that the Governor General declare a 30-day State of Emergency in Belize. The State of Emergency will take effect on midnight Wednesday April 1, 2020 and includes a nightly curfew from 20:00 pm to 05:00 am. The purpose of the measures is to ensure that everyone in Belize complies with social distancing practices in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country. A list of essential services and workers is being finalized. Banks and markets will remain open and people are encouraged to only leave their homes for reasons such as food shopping or other essential travel.
OCEANA Activity Book
We have created a fun marine-based activity book with a bunch of activities that has something to offer for all ages.
If you are at home with kids looking to keep them busy or just want to try these out for yourself, we hope this book will provide some great activities to learn and have fun simultaneously!
BELIZE AND THE ALCALDE SYSTEM
Belize and the Alcalde System Belize, formerly called British Honduras, is part of the Maya region. The Spanish never occupied Belize and the British eventually took possession making it the only English speaking country in Central America. British buccaneers settled in the mouth of the Belize River from where they could easily pirate Spanish ships transporting logwood. Eventually in 1667 when piracy was suppressed they themselves began to cut logwood close to the mouth of the Belize River. This not only meant a more permanent settlement but the importation of African slaves. As the buccaneers moved up-stream and shifted their attention to the extraction of mahogany, they came into greater contact with the Maya.
San Pedro Businesses, Hotels, Bars, Restaurants Open & Closed
***Tune into Channel 20 at 7am to get the latest official news about town council/gov office openings, business rules/changes, etc.
K Mart/ Caye Mart (near Palapa Bar) - Open Daily 7am-10am - Grocery Delivery available, WhatsApp 635-5678, or call 226-3446 to place delivery order before 10am.
The Village Market - North of bridge - Open 7 to 10 daily . Delivery call 615-5500
Super Buy SOUTH - I hear this is closed for now.
Channel 7
Game Changer: Covid Case #3 is From Belize City
Tonight, Belize is 53 hours away from a nation-wide state of emergency which goes into effect on Wednesday at midnight. That's the response after the third positive test for COVID 19 came back last night.
It's a game changer because this positive test comes out of Belize City, the country's largest and most densely inhabited population centre. The Prime Minister discussed this "patient 3" in a national address this afternoon.
Three Covid-19 Patients Managing Without Hospitalisation
This evening in an Ask the Experts session in Belmopan, the Director of Health Services gave a few more details on Patient three in Belize City, plus the other two patients on San Pedro:
"He is doing overall good, he doesn't have any signs or symptoms, he is not under any specific treatment regimen. As you know there is no real treatment for Covid-19, but he has not warranted any specific treatment from our end..."
PM Says Belizeans Ignoring Quarantine Rules
"Clearly the crowds in the old capital make us more susceptible to widespread transmission. Thus, a comprehensive tracing of the afflicted individual's possible contacts and a wider mapping exercise are both being done by the Ministry of Health team."
"In this connection, both the evidence from other countries and the advice from our own experts agree on one thing: the best way to at least slow, and hopefully stop, the spread of the virus, is by strictly enforcing the physical distancing, self-isolation, quarantining and other such rules. Even though we have already imposed a state of emergency for Ambergris Caye and passed two statutory instruments imposing penalties -- including jail time for those that do not comply with the law -- too many Belizeans are not taking the measures seriously enough."
30 Day National State of Emergency Starts Wednesday
So, what is the State of Emergency, and what does it mean for you? Mainly, it institutes a national curfew for all citizens, except essential services. Here's the PM's outline:
"I will be advising His Excellency the Governor General to declare a nationwide state of emergency for the country of Belize. This will go into effect at midnight on Wednesday, April 1st, and will include a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. every day. The state of emergency is to last for 30 days in the first instance. For its duration people will be advised to shelter in place even during daylight hours and only to come out as absolutely necessary for purposes of procuring supplies, and doing such business and activities as are exigently required."
Business In Downtown Belize City Wanes
Now, before that statement was made, we went out to the Albert Street to see how the commercial centre of the biggest city was doing after the news of a COVID-19 case confirmed in the city.
We saw that even without a state of emergency, things are already slowing down significantly:
This was downtown Belize City midday today a few hours after the announcement of Belize City's first confirmed case of COVID-19 and just a few hours before the Prime Minister's official statement on that development.
Stocking Up For Quarantine
And while that was the mood before, after the Prime Minister's statement things began to get a little tense. People are trying to prepare for the state of emergency and that's challenging given that this is the only the second or third across the board state of emergency since independence, and the majority of us don't have a clue what to expect.
PM Says Country Can Feed Itself
But, no need to go too extreme with the shopping list; the Prime Minister today stressed that Belize can feed itself:
"This country is self-sufficient in basic staples and we can feed ourselves for the long haul. The continuity of essential services and the more than ample availability of supplies are both guaranteed and there is no need to panic."
Support for Jobless Coming, But When?
Of course, with so many jobs lost - particular in the tourism sector - many people straight up don't even have money to buy food whether it is available or not!
We note that the COVID 19 financial assistance forms still have not been posted on the COVID19.BZ website up to this evening. No doubt, there is growing desperation and fear for the future - especially among the newly jobless. And tonight they went to know when they will be able to get that $150.00 in bi weekly assistance.
From The Frontline: COVID 19, The Dark, Dark Time
So, as we told you in our first segment, the government of Belize has responded decisively to the first confirmed case of the Corona virus on the Belizean mainland. A national curfew starts on Wednesday at midnight.
For Belizean Americans in the diaspora watching from abroad as their new home wrestles with the greatest number of cases in the world, they say Belize should have shut it down like last week - because our fragile healthcare system cannot take the kind of shocks that is crippling their one.
Attorney Charged For Fake News
On Saturday, a post went live on Saldivar's Facebook account which reads, quote, "Why are you playing Russian roulette with the Belizean people? Today, March 28, 2020, a group of persons from Los Angeles, California, including a non-Belizean, are being facilitated for entry at our northern border for a few dollars more, you are endangering the entire population? Calling on media to go to the Santa Elena Border today!" End quote.
Well, police say that Saldivar's post was completely false, and so they arrested and charged him with the offense of "spreading false news".
Too Close in Coro
And while Saldivar is one target of increased police vigilance for COVID 19 public safety, police have also been cracking down on social distancing.
This weekend, the cops started cracking down countrywide on groups of people who were either engaging in public drinking or ignoring the government's call to use social distancing as a preventative measure to limit the spread of COVID-19.
We report first on a group from men in Libertad Village in the Corozal District. Police say that on Saturday night at around 8:00, they passed by a bar in the village, and that's when they spotted a group of 6 men who were drinking in public in front of a bar.
Red Bank Drinkers Charged
At that same time on Saturday night, police from the Stann Creek District busted 3 Guatemalan nationals living in Red Bank Village of engaging in public drinking in front of the community's Convenience Store.
Here's what police had to say about this incident, and why the men are now facing charges for disobeying the social distancing rules:
"On Saturday, sometime around 8 p.m., whilst police were on patrol in Red Bank Village. They came across 3 persons outside a Chinese establishment, who were drinking..."
Deputy Compol's Crackdown on Dawson Drinking?
The Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch was very brief when we asked him about reports that Deputy Police Commissioner Edward Broaster caught a police officer engaging in public drinking in a time when everyone should be at their homes.
7News has obtained a video clip that Broaster recorded this weekend when he came upon the officer who was allegedly imbibing in public. Here's that video, as well as ACP Myvette's response to our question on it:
COVID-19 Testing Ramped Up
Moving on now from the police to the Ministry of Health, in today's "Ask the Experts" session the Director of Health Services said that they are now in receipt of a new batch of tests and have embarked on a ramped up testing regimen:...
"We got a further arriving on Friday and on Friday we have decided the ministry of health team to scale up testing in search of further cases. As you will note this is a third case, but they are all link to imported cases, o we have not been able to ascertain community transmission up until now..."
On-Site Self-Self-Funded Quarantine
And while testing will increase, so is the vigilance at the border. The fact is if Belizeans get to the borders, they cannot be denied entry to their own country. And, last we checked, the CANCUN AirPort was still partially opened.
But, now when they cross that border, they will face a mandatory on-site quarantine. The Principal Public Health Inspector outlined this on this evening's ask the experts session:
The Manza Behind The Mask
And while the quarantine provision is set up to discourage people from using it, what about masks? There are public health authorities in Europe and Asia which say that everyone should be encouraged to use them.
Now, that's not what Belize's Director of Health Services said last week. Today, he said he is reconsidering that position:...
"Because I am seeing data starting to come up of the potential benefit of wearing masks. We had said and we have been saying that mostly the recommendation is for people who are sick and even though there new suggested evidence that says it may benefit the general population if everybody use it when they are outside in the setting to prevent further transmission..."
Plenty PPE's On the Way
And while the jury is out on whether the general public should "mask-up" - for sure, healthcare workers have to suit up with personal protective equipment. But, does Belize have enough? Manzanero outlined the stores which have recently arrived in country and are being distributed:
"In terms of how many PPEs have been delivered, we have gotten delivery of about 4,500 PPEs that have been delivered to the central warehouse..."
Health Workers Still Scorned
But it seems even those PPE's will not merit fair treatment for health workers. Manzanero said that they continue to be discriminated against:
Former COMPOL Passes
Tonight we note the passing of former Commissioner of Police, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bernard Bevans, Sr.
The 80 year old Bevans died quietly at home outside Belmopan from cancer related complications.
Tourism's Steep Downturn
Tour operators were the first and hardest hit in the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. They are among the many who have seen their income completely dry up, but even without their livelihoods, the struggle goes on. We spoke to one of those operators Roberto Canul, President of the San Pedro Tour operators association, by phone today and in a candid conversation about the difficulties and the frustrations currently being faced by San Pedranos, Canul told us that many of the difficulties arose because the islanders were unprepared.
When Will Strandees Get Off The Island?
And as you heard just now, San Pedro residents are having a hard time coping with a loss of jobs, a loss of buying power, and an island-wide state of emergency.
But what about the folks who are stuck on the island? As we have been reporting, when the state of emergency for the island was declared last week and it stopped all flights and ferries, many got stranded on the island.
Tropic Air's Big Scale-down
And while they aren't able to come back - one of the main carriers to the island say they aren't able to continue providing many services.
Tropic Air is reporting tonight that they have scaled back operations significantly to cope with the loss in business, due to the crisis in domestic and international travel.
Cargo flights to and from San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Belize City, Placencia, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda will now take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday only.
San Pedro Spraydown
But for those who call San Pedro home, there's nowhere to escape to. This morning San Pedranos made efforts to sanitize the few areas that even under the state of emergency are still being frequented by islanders.
That means the areas around and in front of grocery stores where people are made to stand one behind the other, the idea is that despite social distancing they may leave behind contaminated surfaces.
WHO Manual For Saving All
And while that disinfection effort may not quite meet WHO standards - it is a try.
This Morning the Director-General of the World Health Organization released a manual filled with guidelines to help countries balance the demands of responding directly to COVID-19 while maintaining essential health services.
This manual is especially instructive for countries like Belize who have a very limited window in which to bring struggling and sub-par health systems up to scratch.
Impressive Tent Clinics On San Pedro
And in accordance with those guidelines. The San Pedro Clinic has set up both a screening tent and a community facility to care for mild patients. This morning Dion Vansen from the San Pedro Sun got a tour of San Pedro's COVID-19 and flu clinics. He talked to Dr. Javier Canul, doctor and surveillance officer who is working despite limited resources on the island. Canul says that his work isolates those who may test positive from the rest of the population.
34 Contacts, Only 7 Tests?
Turning back now to the "Ask The Experts" Session, and the contact tracing being down with the three cases confirmed in country so farwe asked DHS Manzanero why all 34 contacts who were traced to patient zero were not tested:
Never Again Normal
Manzanero, who is also known to wax philosophical from time to time also gave another rumination on the state of normalcy which all of us long for, but which we all see slipping away like a helium filled balloon disappearing into infinity:
Mental Health Will Be An issue In Abnormal Times
And with normal slipping away faster than a speedboat into the horizon, for all of us, just coping is the issue. Today, Health Inspector Bodden said that, going forward, mental health is a major concern for kids and adults:
AmbergrisCaye.com 
