Recent Belize News
4/21/2020 to 4/30/2020
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Today's Belize News

April 30, 2020


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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

‘Illegal’ ComPol declares SPTC’s COVID-19 regulations incompatible with National SoE
illegal SoEComPol responded to a statement shared by Attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd on social media. In his response, he stated, ‘ We have one country and one central government. There is currently in force one state of emergency that governs the entire country; therefore those measures being implemented in San Pedro [Town] are inconsistent with the State of Emergency and are illegal and none enforceable.’

International Court of Justice grants 6-month filing extension in Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute
This decision was made on April 22nd, when the ICJ held its first-ever virtual plenary meeting from inside the Peace Palace, in The Hague, Netherlands. In that meeting, decisions were made to postpone a few judicial matters. The ICJ also released an official note regarding the Belize-Guatemala dispute, citing a letter from the Agent of the Republic of Guatemala, dated April 8, 2020, asking for an extension of twelve months to submit their Memorial. It explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in delays in his government’s preparation of that pleading.

Taiwan donates infrared thermal imaging cameras to Belize
Belize continues to receive assistance from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, April 28th, Taiwanese Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen handed over six ‘Made in Taiwan’ infrared thermal imaging cameras to representatives of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Immigration and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City. These cameras will be used to track and detect the body temperature of up to 10 persons at the same time.

Belize Commemorates Vaccination Week in the Americas
The Ministry of Health is commemorating Vaccination Week in the Americas under the theme “Love. Trust. Protect. #GetVax.” This year’s campaign brings to mind the love that people have for their children, themselves, and their communities, as well as the trust in the ability of vaccines to save lives and the protection they provide from diseases for everyone from everywhere.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro’s COVID-19 Measures Are Illegal And Non-Enforceable Says Commissioner Of Police
“We have one country and one central government,” stated Commissioner Williams. “There is currently in force one state of emergency that governs the entire country; therefore those measures being implemented in San Pedro are inconsistent with the State of Emergency and are illegal and none enforceable.”

Bowen & Bowen Makes Major Donation To Ministry Of Health
Bowen & Bowen and Companies (B&B) has pledged support to the Ministry of Health (“MOH”) and all Belizeans through a donation of much needed medical supplies. Tomorrow the company will be delivering to the MOH 20 hospital beds with mattresses and 5000 surgical masks. The CEO / President of Bowen & Bowen, Ltd, Michael H. M. Bowen, also advised that they are awaiting the arrival of one thousand PPEs and one thousand face shields, both of which are vital for the protection of the front-line healthcare workers.

Various Belizean Sources

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Relief packages for the villages
Protecting Community, Territory and Relations. We thank our staff and volunteers for their hard work in preparing the relief packages to the villages. Tomorrow we reach more villages.

San Pedro Town Council Offices Closed Thursday and Friday
The San Pedro Town Council hereby advises the general public that its offices will be closed tomorrow, Thursday, April 30th due to the power outage by the Belize Electricity Limited to conduct maintenance. The San Pedro Town Council will also be closed on Friday, May 1st, 2020, to observe Labor Day. Our offices will resume to its modified working hours (8:00 a.m. to 12 noon) on Monday, May 4th, 2020.

Teacher Licensing:
Temporary procedures for submission ofteacher licensing applications due to the impact of COVID-19. Please note that these adjusted guidelines are only applicable during this time or as otherwise directed. They are in no way intended to substantively replace the normal policies on submission and processing of applications.

ATTENTION BRITISH NATIONALS FLIGHT UPDATE
On Wednesday 6 May Westjet Airlines will operate a special flight WS3929 from Philip Goldson International Airport (Belize City) to Toronto-Pearson International Airport (Canada). Please note flights are on a first come first served basis and may be subject to change. To make a reservation please do so directly at www.westjet.com (do not use the WestJet application).

San Pedro Power Outage Wednesday
Power outage scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. BEL to conduct urgent repairs to hotspots on the power distribution system, replace lighting arrestors, and conduct maintenance on the transmission system and substation.

VRBO and AirBnB Refunds in Belize
I heard that they required 100% refund to all those who booked. Is that money you had to literally give back - like from your bank account (if it was there) to them? Or do they hold the money until the visitors check in? I am an AirBnB host (not in Belize) but from everyone I know who has rentals or rented or booked vacations, AirBnB has a full COVID-19 refund policy for anyone who booked between certain dates, VRBO leaves this choice completely up to the owner’s discretion to refund or not. I refunded everyone who asked me for a refund because I felt like a snake keeping people’s vacation money when they literally can’t leave the house. But I know some hosts have kept on VRBO!

Webinar: The Impact of Covid-19 on Belize Tourism
Join us during a LIVE Q&A with Lorenzo Gonzalez about the impact of COVID-19 on Belize tourism and what businesses should do to prepare! Lorenzo is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s Master of Economic Development and Innovation program. As an economic developer, he focuses on entrepreneurship and small business development. He currently works as a small business advisor at Digital Main Street, a non-profit organization that helps small business owners in Ontario adopt digital technologies to improve and modernize their business. Lorenzo is also deeply involved in Belize's tourism industry. He has several years of experience advising tourism businesses in Belize, and he owns Belize Adventure, a popular travel website that receives thousands of daily visits.

NEMO Supplies & Relief Committee
If you know someone in need, kindly help them with the process to be registered/assessed for the NEMO Supplies & Relief Committees' Ambergris Caye grocery feeding program (through the combined effort of the Department of Human Services and Hope Haven). There are currently approximately 50 families on the call list for assessment.

EcoKleen F1
Eco Friendly Solutions is please to launch its Sanitizer/Disinfectant EcoKleen F1. A product safe to use at home and businesses. To order Call 615-7718.

FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR CALCUTTA RESIDENTS
The San Joaquin Village Council in coordination with Casa Chan Ka’an - a home for the homeless elders, extended a hand to our neighbors in Calcutta during this time of need. We are convinced that uniting efforts as brothers, we will stand out against this pandemic. We recognize that only working together as a team, we can make these hard times less difficult.

BFREE BZ Job opportunity
Job and Training Opportunity at BFREE for a qualified Belizean candidate. We are seeking to hire a recent graduate of Junior College or University for a position in the BFREE Science and Education Fellows Program. This position is assigned to the Hicatee Conservation and Research Center – a captive breeding center for the critically endangered Central American River Turtle.

To'one Masehualoon Nongovernmental Organization Relief
To'one Masehualoon Nongovernmental Organization , non political and non Religious Organizations which translates to "We are Maya" for the preservation of the Yucatec Maya culture in Corozal, Belize, desires to thank the families in Corozal Town and neighbor villages for the opportunity to be of service during this difficult financial crisis brought on by the Covid 19 pandemic. We have worked deligently this week to support our brotherhood in need. We are profusely grateful to our brothers of generous goodwill who financially supported this endeavour.

Congratulations to Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina for once again acquiring the prestigious Green Key Certification!
This certification recognizes their commitment to sustainable operations and activities. The Green Key award is the leading standard of excellence in the field of environmental responsibility in tourism.

Happy International Dance Day to our very own San Pedro Dance Academy!
Thank you for always gracing us with your spectacular and vibrant dances. We hope to have you soon performing for the entire community and filling us with joy!

Update on the State of Emergency Measures
Press Conference by the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow., stay tuned , 10am this morning.

PACT JOINS NATIONAL FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS WITH A BZ$100,000 COMMITMENT
Since mid-April, the country has been plagued by large agricultural fires started by humans, causing smoke levels that have led to poor air quality conditions for residents in nearby communities. The situation is now being exacerbated by wildfires (forest fires) due to environmental conditions such as extremely low humidity, high temperature and wind. As these fires continue to expand, the local smoke levels have become a health threat/hazard, affecting many citizens especially in the Cayo district and are now threatening to claim physical structures in the peripheries of residential areas.

Thursday's "Ask the Experts"
Following the Prime Minister's Press Conference tomorrow, the Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte will join us on 'Ask the Experts' to discuss the new measures under the recent state of emergency. Tune in for our live stream at 2:00 p.m.

SALE OF REGULAR FUEL
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, through the Supplies Control Unit (SCU) of the Belize Bureau of Standards, has received reports of shortages of regular fuel at several gas stations countrywide. The SCU advises the public that it has confirmed that there is adequate supply of this commodity in country based on existing inventory. The reports of regular fuel shortages are, therefore, not substantiated by the fuel supply information.

Update on the Situation with Wildfires – Two Air Tankers to Head to Benque Viejo del Carmen and Vaca Forest Reserve
Residents of the towns of Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio and Santa Elena and surrounding areas are hereby informed of the use of two air tanker airplanes today, April 29th, over the periphery of those municipalities to assist in extinguishing the persistent fires that are spewing smoke into the communities. Flights will commence around 3:30 p.m. and will continue throughout the daylight hours if wind conditions are favourable. The air tankers will fly from the Maya Flats airstrip. In addition, heavy machinery will be deployed to areas around Benque and in the Vaca Forest Reserve to help contain the blaze. The public is asked to be cautious in the areas described above.

Immigration Department on Caye Caulker this morning
The Immigration Department will be here Thursday morning at 10:00 a.m. Those people who need stamps, please come in and those who need to pick up kindly do so. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen Thursday
Thursday, April 30th Meal Pick ups Location: Food Republic Meals prepared by Alan Chan, Auntie's and Belize Diving Services Times: Village: 11:00-11:45 am Bahia: 11:45 am-12:30 pm Thank you for bringing your containers!

Help keep Ocean Academy afloat since tourism-based funding is gone
Fundraiser for Friends of Ocean Academy Inc by Friends of Ocean Academy. Ocean Academy on Caye Caulker, Belize, needs your help. A tourism-based economy has disappeared overnight, during high season, affecting all sources of funding. 1) Government funding has been reduced by 19% so funding can shift to feed the jobless. 2) Families are no longer able to pay school fees (no school is free in Belize). 3) The tourism-based school business, Bike with Purpose, had to close when borders closed. By raising $385 per student (130 students), we can keep Ocean Academy afloat and cover four months of school fees for all students. This means families can focus on food and shelter and teachers can focus on online learning.

THANK YOU ROTARACT OF COROZAL
I just wanted to let the Community know how lucky we all are to have an amazing Rotaract Club here in Corozal. Today they helped put together 146 bags of food for Ranchito. The Elders of Ranchito were so grateful to have the help from this vibrant group of young people. They are the future leaders of our world....left in their hands we will all be so great!

Corozal Market Day for Friday Rescheduled for Thursday

Temporary Changes to BWS Opening Hours for San Pedro Office for Thursday, April 30, 2020
Due to the power outage this morning

BWS Suspension of Printed Bill delivery
Belize Water Services advises customers that the delivery of printed bills is suspended until further notice. You can now receive your water bill either by SMS (text), WhatsApp, or Email. We encourage you to update the contact information on your account to receive your monthly bill.

BELIZE INDIAN COMMUNITY BEGINS FOOD DONATIONS TO ALL 10 BELIZE CITY CONSTITUENCIES
As many families in the city struggle during the Covid-19 crisis, the Belize Indian Community (BIC) came together to procure and provide food essentials for over 2000 food packages to assist fellow Belizeans. Today BIC, represented by past presidents, Dinesh Bhojwani and Preeti Wadhwani, and Honorary Consul General of India, Arun Hotchandani presented the food package vouchers to Shyne Barrow, Candice Pitts, Philip Willoughby and Gilroy Usher.

San Pedro Tour Operators Relief Work
Today we distributed 150 grocery pantries to the employees of our association members. All of us in the tourism industry have and continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s in times like these that we all come together to assist. This program is scheduled to continue for the next three months; every week each person will be receiving this assistance to lighten up the difficulties they are facing. * Special recognition to the Tour Operator members who are contributing financially to this effort, Thank You!

GoFUndMe for San Pedro Tour Operators/Guides
Immense gratitude to the contributors on the GoFund me drive, our Operators/Guides are part of your Belize memories, and now you are integral to our getting through this pandemic + Please continue to share the GoFund me link as we are half way to our aim, reaching the goal means we can see this through

March 2020 Merchandise Trade & Consumer Price Index
Consumer prices up 0.2%, imports up 18.2% and domestic exports up 2.6%. Figures released by the Institute show that the All-Items Consumer Price Index for March 2020 stood at 105.4, an increase of 0.2 percent from 105.2 in March 2019. On average, during this month in 2020, the prices of goods and services regularly purchased by Belizean households were 0.2 percent higher than they were in the same month of 2019. While higher prices were seen for items such as home rental costs, international airfares and tertiary education fees, the effect of these were balanced off by lower prices for several food items, Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and fuel. The cumulative inflation rate for the first three months of 2020, when compared to the same period in 2019, stood at 0.3 percent.

Channel 7

Showers of Blessing Ease Forest Fires
Tonight, Belize remains COVID free and we'll have the full update in our second segment, but our headline tonight is about the forest fires raging in Western Belize, across the Cayo District. The Goode news is that around 3:30 this afternoon and hour long downpour fell on the VACA Forest Reserve which has been the epicentre of the largest and most difficult to contain fires.

Wildfires Wreak Havoc, Prompt Community Response
And that rain is why some a breathing a little easier - in more ways than one - out west tonight. Here's the full story on the fire, the smoke and the valiant effort to fight the flames with a crop duster: Responding to the wildfires in the Cayo District is a mission of indeterminate destination. This is the Hydro Road coming out of Benque Viejo.

The Latest From The Wildfire West
As you heard, those planes dropped their load over VACA and around Benque Viejo this evening. What's the outcome of all that water, along with the rain? We spoke to surveyor Rob Trujillo who has been instrumental in coordinating the community effort on the ground: "The ones that were close to Benque on the Arenal Road they have been contained. We had last night one that was coming from behind Succotz towards Benque and that also has been contained and from what we understand it's raining behind Succotz right now. So, the ones that have not been contained in full, but are being monitored are the ones that are by the water hole camp 6 area, which is towards Vaca falls."

Wildfires Wreck Wildlife
Yesterday we showed you a picture of a Kinkajou rescued by the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic. He'd suffered burns to his paws, nose, and ear, at the time we told you that smoke inhalation and pneumonia had made his case a questionable one. Tonight there's an update on his condition. Cherisse Halsall spoke to Dr. Isabelle Paquet-Durant, the founder and director of the Wildlife Referral clinic. She says that while for us burnt forests may mean less green space for weekend jaunts, for many animals, it means the loss of their homes and possibly their families.

DHS Urges Continued Caution with COVID Negative Cases
Tonight, Belize continues to be COVID free. Up to last night there were only 7 active cases, and 9 recovered. Today on Ask The Experts, Dr. Marvin Manzanero said that those recovered cases still have to be monitored: "Seeing the infographic from yesterday where we have 9 recovered cases, 7 patients that are still considered to be active. But I want to touch also that in discussions with the team earlier today that recovered notion is something that we need to be very careful about..."

Testing Will Now Be Randomized
And now that the number of active cases continue to decline, the focus and scale of testing will now be expanded. Dr. Manzanero said that it will now move to more randomized testing with specific focus areas: "I can tell you that there have been random testing that has happen at banking facilities. Elements of that has happened. Some policemen and BDF have also been randomly screened. It's important that we say that. But we also develop a listing of potential frontline workers that we can go and do random swabbing or random testing..."

We May Be Seeing The End of The First Wave of COVID
We note that two days ago, the health minister spoke not about 90 tests a day, but he said that they could do 200 seemingly for an indefinite period. But, that aside, testing right now suggests that what Manzanero called the first of many waves could be at an end: "Understand also that this is for the next 2 weeks; if you don't identify a case, as we had said for this outreach, this first wave would have considered to have been over, but don't confuse that message with the fact that we are saying we are over Covid-19..."

Is Belize COVID Free?
But, as this so called first wave seems to be ending - can Belize currently say that it is COVID free? Manzanero says it does seem that way, but reminded the public that we are all one reckless trip across the border from having a case imported through the backdoor: "Any positive tests for 2 weeks and counting, can we conclude that Belize currently does not have Covid-19, assuming that the orders remains close."

DHS: Don't (Dare) Go To Mexico
So, the message clearly is do not go across to Mexico right now - and not for anything. There are currently 711 cases in Quintana Roo, and 17 active cases in Chetumal. Manzanero says that, for Belizeans, it is a red zone: "The overall Quintana Roo state is following the same pattern as the rest of Mexico, which is increasing numbers and they are not expected to peak until the end of May..."

Regardless of New Regs, New Normal Will Persist
So, tomorrow the old State of Emergency ends and a new one begins with new COVID 19 regulations. It will see government starting to re-open the economy and all the details will be announced at a virtual press conference which the Prime Minister will host tomorrow morning. Manzanero says that whatever the new regs are - he reminds Belizeans that there is a new normal in effect - and we cannot act as we once did:

The Discipline of Public Health
And, Manzanero stressed that the casual going about our business can lead very quickly to an outbreak. He says to contain COVID in the long term, Belizeans need to do more than just wear masks: "When you make the mask mandatory when going out in the public? I think that's part of the regulations that is being considered. We make recommendations, but it's beyond the masks, let's not forget the other elements which I think we are sensing that people are starting to forget..."

The Gift of Giving Can Be Grief
And, going out on the city streets today - we didn't see very many masks being used. Cherisse Halsall didn't see any when she stopped to witness some commotion over food packages this morning. This time, it wasn't at the pantries. Instead, police had to manage the line for free groceries at a warehouse near Majestic Alley.

Charged For Killing Man, Injuring Incident Senior Citizen
On Monday's news, we told you about 22-year-old Dion White. He's the man who the police arrested and charged a number of offenses, including murder for the shooting death of 33-year-old Walter Ezekiel Usher, and attempted murder for the shooting of 61-year-old Joyce Edwards. Well, tonight, the man who police believe was his accomplice is at the Belize Central Prison.

Regular Gas Scarce? Not So Says BBS
The price of regular gasoline took a big dip last Saturday - almost 3 dollar cheaper, maybe the single biggest price slash in history. But, try finding that cheap gas at the pump! Many gas station say there's no regular fuel to sell! Well, The Supplies Control Unit has gotten involved. They say that according to their recent check of inventory in-country, there is no such shortage.

The Radio Rules
Last night, we showed you how the Senate passed a motion to extend the State of Emergency for two more months. New relaxed regulations will be announced tomorrow, but it will likely NOT include opening schools. And there is no clear indication just yet when it will be deemed safe to resume classes. To try and look after the nation's students in these challenging times, the Ministry of Education has come up with a number of different distance learning initiatives. Those include lesson broadcasts on national radio, online courses, and printed lesson plans, being distributed at major supermarkets and grocery stores countrywide.

Teachers, Create Content For High Schools
So, that's the ministry's answer to those children at the pre-school and primary school levels. For high school students, and those youths attending technical and vocational schools, the Ministry has asked the leadership of the different schools to create distance learning content that these students can access online. The Deputy Chief Education Officer stressed that the Ministry does not want secondary school students to stare at a computer screen for an extended period of time:

Will High Schoolers Get Promoted?
Among the talking points from this morning's Ask The Experts, the Deputy Chief Education Officer also discussed what the policy is when it comes to the promotion of high school students to the next form. You'll remember that at the last public discussion on education during the COVID-19 threat, the Ministry authorities stressed that primary school students would be automatically promoted to the next grade level. Well, during today's webcast, the Deputy Chief Education Officer explained that promotion at the high school level is not automatic and that students have to demonstrate the necessary academic competence to advance. Here's how she explained why:

ITVET Students Will Just Have To Wait
Dr. Villanueva also singled out the academic advancement of technical and vocational students, and how it will work during the COVID-19 threat. She said these types of students will simply have to wait for their school to re-open in order to advance: "Definitely, in the ITVET system, none of the promotion, graduation or certification, as they call it, can apply. These students, the trainees, are expected to complete their practical and on-the-job training, whenever school reopens. So, they will continue with their program whenever school reopens."

Teachers Going Online For Professional Development
Teachers are also being asked to make the necessary adjustment to online portals for important matters within their profession. One such area is continuous professional development or CPD for short. These are training courses that all teachers must complete. They are expected to have a minimum amount of CPD hours to qualify for their teaching licenses. Just in time for the State of Emergency, the Ministry has developed 2 courses which, if completed, will earn teachers a total of 50 CPD hours toward their licenses.

Student Teachers Story
And for those student teachers who are trying to fully qualify for their licenses, the Ministry is considering the fact that they will not be able to participate in an external assessment since schools are currently closed. The Deputy Chief Education Officer says that the internal assessment grades for these student teachers will have to be weighted more, given the ongoing COVID-19 threat:

To Get Your Teachers License...
There are also teachers whose licenses will expire during the State of Emergency. The. Ministry says that they will also apply online to get their licenses renewed, and according to Dr. Villanueva, the process has been made as simple as possible:

No Doubling Up on Motorbikes
We know that social distance guidelines are in effect. That means that we're expected to maintain a minimum of three feet sometimes even six feet from one another But what if your main means of transport is a motorcycle and you pick up your loved one, or a relative on it? How do you practice social distancing when it's two people on one 3 foot long seat?

"Air Tanker" Dumped 23K Gallons Over Cayo Hotspots in 57 Flights
And to follow up on our headlines story - here's footage of the so - called air tanker water bombing an area south of Benque Viejo that had been having persistent fires. The crop duster loaded with 500 gallons went there at 3:30 after it made 35 flights over Belmopan.

Bowen's Gifts Deployed
Yesterday we told you about Bowen & Bowen's major donation to the Ministry of Health. The first set of those supplies including beds and face masks were delivered today.

Channel 5

Wildfires Run Amok in Cayo District
In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the country is facing another crisis; it has to do with bush and forest fires that have been spreading all over the country. In [...]

Community Effort to Stem Wildfires Outside of Succotz
The forest fires are caused by a number of environmental factors such the current high temperatures.  The Vaca Forest has experienced the largest wild fire affecting the biodiversity of the [...]

Fire Causes $1 Million in Damages to Cacao Farm
One million dollars in damages were caused by a raging farm fire on fifty acres of cacao plantation in the south. The fire keeps burning tonight, stretching beyond the villages [...]

Raging Fires Also Stretching Police Resources Thin
Aside from the cacao farm in Crique Jute, fires have been raging in Punta Gorda where overnight two houses were gutted by a blaze. Police and fire-fighters had to respond [...]

Don’t Let Your Guard Down! Stay COVID-19 Alert!
There was a sigh of relief on Tuesday evening when the Ministry of Health confirmed that three more persons have recovered from COVID-19, bringing the number of persons to beat [...]

ComPol Chester Williams on Movement of People during S.O.E.
As you heard, since the beginning of this week, traffic has picked up and movement across the city has increased. So there is concern some have thrown caution to the [...]

Test! Test! Test!
Test! Test! Test! That is what international bodies such as the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization are advising countries to do to effectively respond to COVID-19 [...]

An Update on Viral Swabs Procurement
According to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, viral swabs that have been ordered for some time should be in the country by now. This along with the reactions donated by the Pan [...]

A Breakdown of G.O.B.’s Cost-Saving Measures
A few days ago, we heard the cry from the Prime Minister that government is low on money and as you know, the public service, which accounts for one of [...]

Inaugural Shipment for National Gas Company Arrives in Belize
The first shipment of liquid petroleum gas purchased by the National Gas Company arrives in Big Creek on Thursday and final preparations are underway to offload its inaugural freight coming [...]

Carib Trading Won Bid to Ship LPG from U.S. Gulf Coast to Belize
In responding to statements made in an interview given by attorney Audrey Matura, the managing director of the National Gas Company told News Five today that with the exception of [...]

San Pedro Has to Adhere to S.O.E., Not Regulations of Town Council
Earlier this weekend, the San Pedro Town Council issued its own regulations in terms of opening hours for businesses on the island. While all but one measure fell outside of [...]

Still No Charges for Murder of Hattieville Resident, Julian Ebanks
One person has been detained in connection with the murder of Julian Ebanks, a resident of the Bainsville area of Hattieville. On Monday morning, Ebanks was gunned down a few [...]

Dangriga Shooting is Gang Related
ComPol Chester Williams also spoke about the gun violence in Dangriga where a man and woman were injured. On Monday night, just before eight o’clock, Frederick Coote and Tamera Nunez [...]

Evian Murillo is Charged for the Murder of Walter Usher
Police have made an arrest in the murder of Walter Usher. Usher was killed on February twenty-third in Belize City.  Evian Murillo has been charged with Usher’s Murder.  Murillo is [...]

Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 Relief Fund Donates $60,000 to Police Department
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers are singled out as frontline workers who are working around to clock to keep the public safe. But the police department is also on [...]

Recovery of COVID-19 Does Not Mean Immunity
There is more on the COVID-19 situation. The government continues to encourage social distancing and proper hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus. A motion to extend the state [...]

Chet’s COVID Cases
In the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, seven hundred and eleven persons tested positive for COVID-19 as of today.  In the neighboring subdivision of Othon P. Blanco, of which Chetumal [...]

Still No Cure for Novel Coronavirus
Research and scientists have yet to produce a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. While the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drugs for the treatment, researchers released [...]

This is What Teachers Need to Know During COVD-19 Pandemic
Schools across the country remain closed likely for the rest of the academic year so the Ministry of Education has developed an online programme to keep students at all levels [...]

Assistance for Belizean Students Abroad
The Deputy Chief Education Officer Doctor Neulin Villanueva also addressed the matter of Belizeans students who are stuck overseas and unable to return home except under special circumstances, because borders [...]

Deputy Chief Education Officer Explains Education Rules Regarding Graduations, Promotions
Doctor Neulin Villanueva also spoke on promotions and graduations in primary and high school. The Ministry has decided that students will be promoted though exams will not be taken.  Doctor [...]

Business and the Economy in the Caribbean Amid the COVID Pandemic
Women leaders across the globe have shown to be the most responsive in battling the COVID-19 pandemic in countries such as New Zealand, Belgium and Finland.  They have acted proactively [...]

Agriculture Minister says Assistance for Farmers on the Way
In 2019, an extreme drought devastated crops in the north and south. Farmers lost millions of dollars and this prompted the government to roll out a financial aid package for [...]

Belize Commemorates Vaccination Week in the Americas
This week, countries around the world are commemorating the eighteenth annual Vaccination Week in the Americas. This celebration is being held under the theme, “Love. Trust. Protect. #GetVax.” The importance of [...]

The Reporter

American National found dead in Corozal
The Reporter has confirmed that the partially decomposed body of an American national was discovered a short while ago inside his home near Tony's Resort at the entrance of Corozal Town. We'll keep following this story and will provide details as we get them, but sources say there are no obvious signs of foul play.

LOVE FM

Health Director explains why mass testing for COVID-19 isn’t ideal
Earlier in the news, we heard the Director of Health Services talk about expanding COVID-19 testing and the roll-out of random testing. Dr. Manzanero explained to Love News yesterday that the idea of voluntary testing would not be practical and neither would mass testing.

World Immunization Week 2020
World Immunization Week is being observed from April 24 to April 30. The aim is to promote the use of vaccines to protect persons of all ages against diseases. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. In today’s session of Ask the Expert’s, Nurse Sharon Cooper-Espinosa shared a synopsis on the history of Immunization week.

Bowen and Bowen makes nearly half a million dollar donation to COVID-19 fight
Bowen and Bowen(B&B) Company Limited has contributed almost half a million dollars to the fight against COVID-19. Yesterday, twenty hospital beds with mattresses and five thousand surgical masks were delivered to the Ministry of Health. Instead of the monetary donation, Chief Executive Officer of Bowen and Bowen noted that the Ministry requested the equipment which is in demand.

Health Director says Belizeans are getting too relaxed
It has been sixteen days since Belize has had any confirmed case of COVID-19. This current situation has allowed the Government to ease restrictions around the country.

BTV responds to Guatemala’s extension
Earlier this week we reported on the decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) granting a 6-month extension to Guatemala for them to submit their claim on Belize. Guatemala had officially requested a one-year extension, but Belize objected and said that they would only accept a 2-month extension. In the end, the court ruled for a 6-month extension.

Belizean man who had gone across the border is now dubbed a high-risk patient
Belizeans becoming laxed in their precautionary measures is not the only concern that has been expressed by the Director of Health Services. Dr. Manzanero explained the dangers of COVID-19 lurk at our northern border and if we are not careful we could see imported cases in Belize.

AG speaks on the new regulations planned for May
The media spoke with the Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte who explained that they are planning on reopening even more businesses under the new Statutory Instrument which would come into effect on May 1.

GOB and residents work together to extinguish forest fires in the west
Residents in Belmopan and surrounding areas are perhaps the most affected by the recent fires. For over a week now they have been complaining of their homes being inundated with smoke and difficulties breathing.

Are consumers being jilted by fuel stations?
Reports on a shortage of regular fuel at the pumps began reaching our newsroom at the start of this week. We visited three fuel stations yesterday and today and found that at the three locations there were no regular fuel. At first, we thought that consumers were capitalizing on the sharp decrease in prices which would explain the shortage.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

American national found dead in Corozal home identified by wife
Earlier today we reported that a decomposing body was found inside a home in Corozal. […]

“Cost of living was up slightly in March,” says Statistical Institute
The cost of living in Belize was up slightly for the month of March, according […]

Beans and banana revenues contribute to the first export increase of 2020
While Belize’s exports were down for the first two months of 2020, the Statistical Institute […]

GOB implements cost-saving measures, no jobs lost
The Government of Belize (GOB) has settled on the measures to curtail expenses in light […]

Body found in Corozal
BBN has confirmed that a decomposing body was found earlier today. The body was found […]

Compol dismisses updated regulations on Ambergris Caye as illegal and non-enforceable
San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye was the site of the first two cases of […]

Two planes to respond to forest fires near Benque Viejo del Carmen and in Vaca Forest Reserve
Government informed today of the use of two air tanker airplanes today over the periphery […]

Plane assists in outing fires near Belmopan
Today, a plane was used with success over Belmopan where the situation has improved. The […]

BWS suspends printed bill delivery
Today, Belize Water Services (BWS) informed customers that the delivery of printed bills is suspended […]

Scotiabank Belize advises customers to beware of fraud scams
Scotiabank Belize Limited issued a statement today informing all customers that it is aware of […]

Blogs

Belize to the World: WE MISS YOU!
There’s an overwhelming message among all Caribbean Countries right now that is felt so deeply. Our countries are empty and the life our visitors bring to us has disappeared in the blink of an eye! Hailing from all corners of the country, our tour guides, hoteliers, chefs, and conservationists have this message for you: While travel remains on hold, we want you to use this time to daydream about taking your Belize bucket list trip! We’re a destination worth waiting for, and we’ll be waiting for you.

WestJet Schedules Repatriation Flight from Belize to Canada
Though now is not the time to travel, some international travelers were left stranded by immediate border closures and government travel restrictions. To date, Belize has not reported any new coronavirus cases since April 13, 2020. Understandably so, most are scrambling to return home on a repatriation flight during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, a special repatriation flight was announced for Wednesday, 6 May 2020, via WestJet Airlines Flight WS3929.

International Sourcesizz

Hurricanes Are Reshaping Evolution Across the Caribbean
A new study of lizards in countries struck by hurricanes suggests cataclysmic weather can reshape entire species. Across Central and South America and the Caribbean islands, scientists found that lizards with larger toe pads seem to be more common in areas that have been hit by storm after storm in the last 70 years. That suggests that severe but fleeting cataclysms don’t just leave lasting scars on people and places. They also reshape entire species.

Coronaviruses and bats have been evolving together for millions of years
Scientists compared the different kinds of coronaviruses living in 36 bat species from the western Indian Ocean and nearby areas of Africa. They found that different groups of bats have their own unique strains of coronavirus, revealing that bats and coronaviruses have been evolving together for millions of years. Developing a better understanding of how coronaviruses evolved can help us create better public health programs for the future.

Seashell Souvenirs Are Killing Protected Marine Life
The seashell trade is little known, but the massive industry devastates marine life worldwide. IN THE LITTLE coastal town of Kanyakumari, in southern India, mountains of newly harvested mollusk shells—living animals still inside them—lie drying out near a sun-drenched beach. Next up for these seashells: a dunking for a few hours in large vats of oil and acid to clean them. Any remaining flesh or scaly growth is then scraped off each shell by hand by one of hundreds of local workers, and they’re given another soaking in oil. After a final hand-polishing, many are shipped to artisans in nearby towns who craft jewelry and other mementos to sell to tourists. The remaining shells are destined for elsewhere in India and abroad.

Does Visiting Belize's Great Blue Hole Live Up To Expectations? What To Plan For
There are many spots in Belize that are incredibly dangerous as well as spots that are favorites among tourists, The Great Blue Hole happens to be both. According to Chabila Mar Villas, this is precisely why The Great Blue Hole is for experienced divers only. Divers need to have completed at least 24 dives to be allowed to explore the hole due to the cavernous areas found in the nearly perfect circular body of water. The shallow waters of the atoll's lagoon quickly give way to the flooded cave that descends into the deep darkness below.

Videos

  • Peter Lawrence on ReefTV, 2hr30min.

  • Education Livestream, 60min. Ask your questions in the comments during the live stream! Today we are joined by Dr. Neulin Villanueva, Deputy Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education.

  • Ask the Experts for Wednesday April 19, 60min. Ask your questions in the comment section during the live stream! Joining us this afternoon is Sharon Cooper-Espinosa, Nurse Administrator, Expanded Program of Immunization

  • Reporters not allowed inside of National Assembly, 23min. The following is the notice we were sent last night outlining the guidelines for today "Dear Media, Please be advised that, in keeping with social distancing guidelines, a live stream of tomorrow's sitting of the House of Representatives will be provided by the Government Press Office. A link to the live stream will be provided prior to the start of the meeting.

  • Morning Matters with Minister Farber, 54min. Minister Faber discussed teaching strategies during the quarantine on Morning Matters

  • Morning Matters with Carolyn Carr, 48min.

  • SNORKELING AT MEXICO ROCKS, 4.5min. On this episode, we rented a private boat to fish & snorkel for the day! We visited the Mexico Rocks of Ambergris Caye, Belize. It was absolutely breathtaking there.

  • From Belize, to the World: We Miss You!, 1.5min. Belize misses you - our guests! Hailing from all corners of the country, our tour guides, hoteliers, chefs, and conservationists have this message for you: While travel remains on hold, we want you to use this time to daydream about taking your Belize bucket list trip! We’re a destination worth waiting for, and we'll be waiting for you.

  • Mergulho em Belize: Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye e San Pedro, 5min. Belize e um dos melhores lugares do mundo para pratica do mergulho! Durante minha viagem tive a oportunidade de mergulhar no Atol Lighthouse Reef e em San Pedro, dois lugares fabulosos repleto de pontos de mergulho.

  • Belize Dive Trip, Ramon's Village Resort, 34min. One of our favorite trips. We highly recommend Ramon's Resort.

  • Belize with The Boersma's, 4min. BZen Wellness Yoga Retreat 2020

  • Mass for Wednesday of the third week of Easter, 37min.

  • Caribbean Lifestyle - Belize photo contest, 1min. Calling all Instagrammers, bloggers, photographers and travelers! Caribbean Lifestyle - Belize is hosting a photo contest where you can display your amazing Belize photos! Check out the video below to learn how you can win spectacular travel prizes.

  • Planes attack fires, 1min. Two planes were at work this afternoon. They started with one plane behind Cristo Rey and one around Benque Viejo. At last report this evening, they were over southern Benque Viejo Town and south of San Ignacio Town and hit 3 fires.

  • Hands of Love Caye Caulker, 4min. Keeping the community fed. We need help and this shows why! It takes a lot of food, lots of volunteers, lots of logistics, and most importantly lots of support to maintain the program. Everyday, we're now feeding close to 600 people, with the numbers growing and no end in sight. Help in any way you can, even $5 provides for 3 meals. We understand many have given or simply can't give monetarily; you can still make a difference by sharing and raising awareness! Thank you!

  • Some cool footage of the tanker plane spraying locally, 1min.

  • Belize Permit Club, 15min.

  • Harvest Caye, Belize, min. 2019 Thanksgiving Day in Harvest Caye while on a family cruise on the Norwegian Getaway

  • Blue Hole Belize Flight, 40sec. Flight over the Blue Hole in Belize, one of the tourism gems of this Central American country. Adventure and amazing landscape of the biggest treasure of the Mesoamerican barrier reef

  • Travel Belize, Caye Caulker, 4min.

  • Acción Deportiva, 25min.

  • The Plug, 27min.

  • Hard Rain in Cayo yesterday..., .5min.

    April 29, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Extension of National State of Emergency approved by Senate
    Belize's two-month extension of the National State of Emergency was debated in the Senate, and ultimately passed. It now awaits the signature of the Governor General to become law.

    New operating hours announced for Ambergris Caye businesses
    Different businesses and their service are under new, updated hours for Ambergris Caye. This came after a meeting with the Emergency Operation Center after the island's 2 patients have been declared recovered, and no new cases have emerged.

    Bowen & Bowen, Ltd & Companies Makes Major Donation to MOH
    Bowen & Bowen and Companies (B&B) has pledged support to the Ministry of Health (“MOH”) and all Belizeans through a donation of much needed medical supplies. Tomorrow the company will be delivering to the MOH 20 hospital beds with mattresses and 5000 surgical masks. The CEO / President of Bowen & Bowen, Ltd, Michael H. M. Bowen, also advised that they are awaiting the arrival of one thousand PPEs and one thousand face shields, both of which are vital for the protection of the front-line healthcare workers.

    PAHO urges countries to maintain vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic
    On the cusp of Vaccination Week in the Americas, countries need to take innovative safety measures to strengthen flu and measles vaccination to avoid an added burden of vaccine-preventable diseases.

    BTB Staff Provides Support to Those Affected by the COVID-19 Crisis
    In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) recognizes that it is imperative to reach out to help those most in need. On this premise, BTB's staff has come together to donate towards community outreach initiatives in several different areas of the country.

    Update on the situation with wildfires, what is being done and the prospects for improvement
    The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment and other agencies including the Fire Department, the Belmopan City Council, and the business community continue to join forces to fight fires around Belmopan and out west in the Vaca Forest Reserve. Major successes were recorded Sunday April 26th, around Belmopan and in the Vaca Forest Reserve.

    Ambergris Today

    San Pedro Town Council Updates Regulations During COVID-19 Lockdown
    Based on the Statutory Instrument No. 62 of 2020 which came into effect on April 26, 2020, the San Pedro Town Council, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. and the EOC have made modifications to further ensure the safety of all residents in Ambergris Caye. The modifications will be fully enforced and are effective immediately.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    MESSAGE FROM THE BELIZE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
    Attention Belizean Nationals whose stay in the United States had to be extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Please visit the website and fill out and submit the required forms. https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/special-situations, https://www.uscis.gov/i-539

    SSB Scholarship
    Interested in a SSB Scholarship? Learn more about our Scholarship Program here in this brochure. Feel free to message us for any additional information or assistance you may need. We are here to help!

    Sharing Corozal's History and Culture
    During the months of March, April and May the Corozal House of Culture has many requests for visitation from our educational institutions; preschool up to the tertiary level. Whether it is out of district, neighbouring Quintana Roo or the school around the corner, we take great pleasure in sharing Corozal's history and culture with all. We incorporate three locations of the Corozal Town Historical Walk: The Corozal House of Culture formerly the Public Market where we showcase artifacts and current exhibits, the Corozal Town Hall to explain the history of Corozal Town using the beautiful Historical Mural painted by Manuel Villamor and then we visit Fort Barlee where visitors can enter one of the gun turrets and let their imaginations run!

    Belize Commemorates Vaccination Week in the Americas
    The Ministry of Health is commemorating Vaccination Week in the Americas under the theme “Love. Trust. Protect. #GetVax.” This year’s campaign brings to mind the love that people have for their children, themselves, and their communities, as well as the trust in the ability of vaccines to save lives and the protection they provide from diseases for everyone from everywhere.

    Belize Virtual Music Festival
    The Belize Music Agency, the Office of the Music Ambassador, and Digi are partnering with other organizations to host the first Belize Virtual Music Festival. The music festival aims to bring awareness to the importance of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide support to local Belizean musicians who have been displaced as a result of COVID-19. The concert will be held on May 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. and will be live streamed on social media via the Belize Virtual Music Festival and the Government of Belize Press Office Facebook pages.

    Updates On Rules and Regulations for Ambergris Caye
    Based on the Statutory Instrument No. 62 of 2020 which came into effect on April 26, 2020, the San Pedro Town Council, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. and the EOC have made modifications to further ensure the safety of all residents in Ambergris Caye. The modifications will be fully enforced and are effective immediately. SOCIAL DISTANCING - All establishments must have their customers and employees practice social distancing. Spaces of 6 feet a part must be marked outside of your establishment and only a limited amount of customers should be inside the establishment.

    Update on the situation with wildfires - Use of air tanker airplane for firefighting
    The public in the Belmopan area is advised of the use of an air tanker airplane tomorrow April 29th, 2020, over the periphery of Belmopan to assist in outing persistent fires in the north east and south east of the city. These fires are slow burning but produce an immense amount of smoke. The air tanker is flown out of Spanish Lookout by experienced pilots and will be dumping several hundred gallons of water over the fires in a given pass. The air tanker will be in operation from 5 am throughout the day. Residents are advised to not be alarmed if they see or hear the air tanker as it is here to help. The fires are burning in the wild vegetation surrounding Belmopan and so there is minimal disturbance expected for residential areas.

    Post offices now open for business
    The Belize Postal Service hereby informs its customers that all Post offices are now opened for business. The Belize Postal Service is once again offering all postal services to its customers. Our new temporary opening hours are; 9:00 AM — 12:00 MD and 1:00 PM — 4:00 PM, Mondays to Fridays. Please note that in an effort to safeguard both our employees and our customers, certain protocols as set out by the Ministry of Health, are in place at all post offices. Kindly contact your post office at the below listed phone numbers, or via our Facebook page should you require further information on the services being offered or if you wish to make an enquiry of an expected item.

    CAYE CAULKER IMMIGRATION STAMP UPDATE:
    We had a VERY successful day today with over 100 people receiving 3 month stamps. The Immigration Officers were required to return to San Pedro at 5pm today, because Belize Treasury Department does not allow them to stay overnight with the amount of cash payments they received today. THEY WILL BE BACK THIS THURSDAY to stamp anyone who did not get stamped today. You will receive 3 month stamps at the old monthly rates. Please bring EXACT Belizean cash and your passport. Be at the Community Center at 9am. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE to get stamped, if you were on my list.

    Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen on Wednesday
    Wednesday April 29th Meal Pick ups Location: Caribbean Fusion (formerly DirtyMcNasty's) Times: Village: 11:00-11:45 am Bahia: 11:45 am-12:30 pm Thank you for bringing your containers!

    There’s still time to apply for a Digi Scholarship!
    Primary school students, between the ages of 11 and 14 who are entering High School for the first time are eligible to apply for a Digi Scholarship. Digi scholarship recipients receive a full package of paid tuition and new textbooks for four years at a High School of their choice. Applications are available on our website at www.livedigi.com/public-relations/scholarship-program Submit your completed application via email to [email protected]. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2020.

    Soul Project Soup Kitchen Project
    Daniel at the Belize Soul Project has come up with a great feeding program idea. A soup kitchen, and it's located conveniently downtown. They have a gofundme page setup. Thanks to those that are supplying the meat, Running W, and the gas, Sirrom! "Daniel Velazquez who operates Belize Soul Project has decided to start a meal pick up service beginning this Saturday at the Soul Project location in San Ignacio, across from the police station and downstairs from the Old House Hostel. Gas for cooking is being donated by Sirrom Gas, and meat is being donated from Running W; these donations are SO appreciated!

    Nukuch Tat
    Our Tatitos always told us to tie the hammocks or else the Nukuch Tato'ob will lay and rest on them when they should be guarding . Our Maya Tatitos gave offering to the Nukuch Tato'ob which consist of Saka(Maya drink) on a Luuch(Jicara) to ask them for protection when hunting,getting firewood or to use land for milpa in the bush . The Nukuch Tato'ob also known as Tata Duendes or Balames are Maya guardian spirits in charge of protecting the towns, milpas,animals ,Forest and the humans

    If you wear a medical mask, it is useless if not worn properly
    Remember that medical masks and non-medical face coverings alone cannot protect you from COVID-19. Maintain at least 2 metres (6 feet) distance from others and wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, even while wearing a mask. If you use a mouths cover, it's useless if you don't use it correctly. Remember that mouths and non-medical facial coatings alone cannot protect you from COVID-19.

    Bougainvillea Juice
    Follow these simple steps and make your delicious juice especially in these hot days. Another method to savor this delicious drink is by Freezing the Bougainville tea in ice cube trays. Use these cubes to chill fresh Bougainville tea. This allows the tea to chill without diluting the flavor. Florencia Castillo

    FREE WEBINAR
    FUTURE OF CARIBBEAN TOURISM - KEY CONSIDERATION FOR COVID-19 RECOVERY, APRIL 30 at 11AM

    Channel 7

    Senate Debates 60 Days of SOE
    Last night, we took you to Belmopan for a very unusual House Meeting, where only 7 representatives attended, and they all wore masks. They were there to pass a single motion: to extend the State of Emergency by 60 days. The Opposition, on the other hand, thinks that it should only be extended for 30 days, and that clash of interpretations played out again at today's Senate Debate - with the social partners somewhere in the middle. Because of Social Distancing, the meeting of the Upper Chamber included only 2 UDP Senators, 1 PUP Senator, 1 Senator representing the Social Partners, the President of the Senate, and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

    What Will New SOE Regs Look Like?
    So, now that the State of Emergency's extension is basically a done deal, the press asked Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte about how strict, or how permissive the accompanying regulations will be. After the Senate Meeting, he told us that there will be a day-to-day assessment and that there will be a tendency to err on the side of caution. "It is the measure of the National Oversight Committee, in conjunction with the Task Force. They will tell us what to draft, based on their deliberation. So, we're in the process of doing that..."

    No Church On the Horizon
    The Attorney General also made the point that at this time, the authorities aren't prepared to relax the State of Emergency regulations to allow you to go to church. We have heard of reports that certain denominations are agitating for a bit of freedom to worship. "I think God blessed us with good sense, and know that we can worship God and praise God without necessarily endangering ourselves with a disease..."

    Fire Devours Farm In Toledo
    Forest fires continue to rage across western and Southerner Belize, devouring vast tracts of lands, farms and valuable crops included. This was brought home vividly today just outside Mafredi village in the Toledo District. That's where much of the 50 acres of Serendipity Farms was consumed by firing, laying waste to a million dollars in crops. Lawrence Chavarria, Owner, Serendipity Farm: "Approximately 50 acres located right outside of Mafredi, one of the first parcel of land in the San Antonio Village. It consists of 15,000 cacao trees and which are already starting to produce. Last week we have harvested over 3,000 pounds of wet cacao..."

    Fires Rage On In Benque and Vaca
    And, fires also continue to rage out west in the Vaca Reserve and coming up unto farms just outside Benque Viejo. Today a hundred volunteers from the town went out to fight fires behind Benque. They were lead by a team of forest fire experts form the Ya'axché Conservation Trust. The Executive Director told us what it's been like: "We had like over 100 people or more, so we divided each group into different sections, so today we were tackling about 3 fires that were occurring the same time. We managed to contain some fires, but it's really raging at the moment..."

    Latest: 9 Recovered, 7 Active Cases of COVID-19
    The latest COVID 19 testing information was released just a short while ago. It shows that three more COVID patients have recovered, bringing the total number of active cases down to 7. 28 cases remain under investigation.

    Canadian Fugitive Caught in Belize
    A Canadian national wanted on an Interpol red notice has been caught in Belize. 59-year-old Francis Emmanuel Mella was apprehended by the Special Branch in the Corozal district on a charge of fraud.

    Couple Shot in Griga
    A man and a woman were shot last night in the New Site Area of Dangriga Town. It happened at around 8:10 while the couple was at home in a 2 story wooden house. At least 8 shots were fired from outside the home. Some of those bullets penetrated the walls of Frederick Coote's home, hitting him to the right upper side of his chest and his girlfriend Temara Nunez to her upper right thigh.

    Smuggling Weed in BPMS Van
    It's their second day of open operation post-state of emergency restrictions but a BPMS van has already been caught transporting weed. And while the illegal transfer is likely not the company's fault they'll have to check packages far more carefully because with inter-district movement still limited, drug dealers are forced to ship product.

    Bowen & Bowen Comes Up Big With Health Donation
    Bowen & Bowen has made a major donation of supplies and equipment to the Ministry of Health - and it is sure to benefit front-line workers in the COVID 19 response. It includes 20 hospital beds with mattresses and 5000 surgical masks, plus one thousand PPEs and one thousand face shields, which are on the way, along with 10,000 COVID-19 Testing Reagents, and eight Ventilators. Speaking with the press today via ZOOM video conference, the CEO and President of Bowen and Bowen said everything they gave was in coordination with what the Ministry of Health asked for:

    Bowen Revenue Down 60%
    The Director of Health Services today posted a thank you saying quote, "the commitment of the companyis more than appreciated." And, the half a million dollar donation comes at a time when, arguably, the company can least afford it. Like everyone else in the shut down economy, Bowen's revenue has been hurting. How much? We asked the CEO today: "Like all the businesses in Belize we are facing a significant reduction in earnings due to the Covid crisis."

    COVID Causes Contraband Concerns, Bowen Sales Trending Up
    But, sales are modestly trending up in a most unexpected area. That's Orange Walk where a funny thing has happened. The communities along the Rio Hondo are subtly turning against contraband! That's because Quintana Roo has almost 700 cases COVID 19 and people are scared the smugglers bring the virus across. So they are shying away from those products. We asked about the COVID bump in Orange Walk: "That's an interesting question Jules because while our sales are down, if we look at Orange Walk district in particular, the sales are slightly higher than the rest of the country by a trend..."

    Water Sales Spiked, But Still Slow
    We also asked about the market demand for water - which is the only thing Bowen was allowed to sell in those strict two weeks of full lockdown. "What have been the trends that you've noticed since the start of this crisis? I think there was some talk about people actually hording water initially. How has that played out." Michael Bowen- CEO/president Bowen and Bowen: "Well, I don't know about the specifications of hording but certainly, the demand went up. And of course, the 5 gallon is where the major demand went up..."

    Faking Crystal Water
    And, we also asked about the funny business with water which was reported to us from one store. It's a widespread practice when water is scarce to fill up crystal bottled with any old thing and sell it at an inflated price. Here's Bowen's answer: "We very diligently to address these items. We try to send cease and dessist orders to some of the refillers. Our concern is that if the bottle is not clean before it is refilled, regardless if the water was good quality or not, you risk contamination and people are going to look at that..."

    Bowen Frontline Workers Taking Precaution
    Bowen also discussed the measures that his company's frontline workers have to take as safety precautions:

    Taiwan Donates Mass Temperature Takers
    And while Bowen and Bowen is helping with equipment, the Taiwanese Ambassador this morning handed imaging cameras over to representatives from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Immigration and the KHMH. These cameras can be used to track and detect the body temperatures of 10 people at the same time.

    City Council Fires PUP Stalwart
    If you're a Belize City resident, you might know Keith Yearwood as a professional PUP loudmouth. There's just no other way to put it. He's always on the air, on the street, and at the rallies, running down the UDP and bigging up his party. He's a true blue soldier, and every mass party has personalities like that; they are part of the PUDP political DNA. And, as you'd expect, when the PUP won the Belize City Council in 2018, Yearwood was front and centre, and, sure enough, he got hooked up with a nice job at the council as Assistant Parks Manager.

    BEL's COVID Friendly Cashier Booths
    Last week we showed you how the South Korean inspired testing booths have become a major part of Belize's pandemic defense strategy. But is the same level of precaution necessary for paying your light bill? BEL certainly thinks so. The company has installed three booths in an effort to re-position cashier services for a more open-air, socially distanced, and sunlit COVID era billing environment. Customer care Manager Lisa Stanford told us that the company is focusing on quick, safe transactions.

    An Air Tanker for Fires
    It's been smoke-filled and stifling days in the west but help is on the way and tomorrow an air tanker plane will fly over the periphery of Belmopan to fight slow-burning fires in the northeast and southeast of the city. The air tanker, that will be in operation from 5 am onward, will be flown out of Spanish Lookout by experienced pilots, and will be dumping several hundred gallons of water over the fires in a given pass.

    Relief For Farmers
    In the past weeks, we've been telling you about the different relief programs that the Government has rolled out to ease the pain caused by lost earnings or no money to buy food. Well, during today's Senate Debate to extend the State of Emergency, Agriculture Minister Godwin Hulse discussed relief initiatives designed to help the nation's farmers. You'll remember how last year's drought devastated the agricultural industries. Now, there is the COVID-19 threat, and on its heels, there is the forecasted drought for this year that everyone is already feeling the effects of.

    ICJ Presentation Extended
    Next week Friday will make it 1 year since Belizeans voted yes in a National Referendum to take Guatemala's territorial claim over our country to the International Court of Justice. Guatemala was scheduled to file its full case, known as their "Memorial", at the ICJ on June 8, 2020. They have since gone to the Court to ask for an extension of time, and they cite the COVID-19 pandemic as the main reason. They were asking for a 12-month extension, and after getting input from both countries, the court has decided to extend their deadline to December 8th, 2020.

    Crossing The Waterloo With Stevedores
    Since last week we have been telling you about the proposed project at the Port of Belize. The Ashcroft-related company, Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited, has presented a 200 million US-dollar proposal for the Port's facelift, which Would establish a cruise port and rehabilitate and expand the container port. Sounds good enough, but yesterday the PM said it's not approved at this time, and they need to talk to the Stevedores first:

    Curfew Breakers Charged
    The Week started with a relaxation of the state of emergency regulations, inter-district movement was re instituted for essential workers, restaurants were allowed to re-open for takeout only, and construction was allowed to resume. But some things remained very much the same, and it's too bad not everybody got the memo that movement for leisure and outside curfew is still restricted. Over the weekend it was the 20 river goers breaking the rules.

    Westline Bus Line Layoffs
    Westline Bus Service is a major public transport provider for the country's western corridor. But, the company is preparing to downsize its operation in a significant manner, due to the State of Emergency. As a result, 90% of its staff are being laid off because the management simply can't afford to keep everyone on. An internal memo, dated April 24, 2020, was shared with us, and in it, the CEO/General Manager discusses the hardship that has brought the company to this crossroad.

    Channel 5

    Senate Approves S.O.E. Extension
    The Senate today approved the motion to extend the State of Emergency by an additional sixty days. Unlike sittings before the COVID-19 pandemic, at today’s session only five senators participated [...]

    AG Michael Peyrefitte Bashes P.U.P.
    The Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte rebutted the lead senator across the aisle.  Peyrefitte questioned the People’s United Party’s position on the motion, stating that the P.U.P. in both the House [...]

    Senator Elena Smith Says No Time for Politics
    Weighing in on the debate was Senator Elena Smith on behalf of the social partners, which includes the business community, churches, the N.G.O. community and unions. Today, Smith was measured, [...]

    Senators Debate Unemployment Relief Programme
    The online portal for the Unemployment Relief Programme was closed on Friday, April twenty-fourth. More than eighty thousand applications for assistance were received, but less than half of that number [...]

    P.U.P. on the Closure of Unemployment Relief Fund
    Senator Michel Chebat decried in the senate the politicization of the food programmes to needy families during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. This afternoon, the P.U.P. said it was [...]

    Corozal Severely Affected by COVID-19; Resident Line Up for Assistance at S.S.B. Office
    Even as the Unemployment Relief Fund has closed to new applications, hundreds of affected Belizeans are still lining up hoping the get assistance. On Monday morning in Corozal Town, the [...]

    Attorney General Comments on Latest Belize/Guatemala Dispute Developments
    The Guatemalan Government was granted by the International Court of Justice, a six month extension to submit its memorial on its maritime and territorial claim to Belize. Guatemala cited the [...]

    Two Injured in Dangriga Shooting
    A shooting incident in Dangriga on Monday night has left two persons hospitalized with gunshot injuries.  Frederick Coote and Tamera Nunez were attacked inside a residence sometime around eight p.m., [...]

    Senators Spar over Testing Kits
    The number of active coronavirus infections has been reduced tonight to seven and the latest figures from the Ministry of health show that twenty-six are under investigation. It means that [...]

    A New Testing Machine to be Procured
    Though the number of active cases is now down to seven, there has been a persistent call for the Ministry of Health to begin using rapid testing kits in detecting [...]

    When will Cattle Begin to be Traded with Mexico?
    The trans-border trade of livestock between Belize and Guatemala remains at an indefinite standstill now that cabinet has decided to halt the informal trade that has been flourishing for decades. [...]

    Agriculture Minister Speaks on C.E.O. Resignation
    C.E.O. Alpuche gave the required three months notice on his resignation. The matter was also raised today during the Senate hearings by Senator Chebat. But on leaving the Senate, Alpuche’s [...]

    The Impact of COVID-19 on Bowen & Bowen Ltd. and Companies
    Globally, COVID-19 is having an impact on life as well on the business environment in significant ways. The Bowen and Bowen group has a workforce of over one thousand two [...]

    BNN Writes to National Oversight Committee
    In the Senate today, P.U.P. Senator Michel Chebat shared the contents of a letter written by the Senator for the Non-Governmental Organizations on behalf of the Belize Network of N.G.O.s.  [...]

    N.G.O. Senator Objects to Use of BNN Letter
    In the letter, the N.G.O. says that it was agreed that this decision as well as the suggested way forward would have been shared with and reviewed by the oversight [...]

    An Unusual House Meeting on S.O.E.
    The focus on the House meeting on Monday was related to the state of emergency which will continue for another two months. But the House heard that in the first [...]

    Diplomatic Community Makes Donation to Belize Red Cross
    A sum of twelve thousand dollars was handed over to the Belize Red Cross from the diplomatic community and the international organizations accredited to Belize. The diplomatic community here is [...]

    Bowen & Bowen Making Almost Half-a-Mil Donation in Fight Against COVID-19
    Bowen and Bowen Limited and Companies are making a half a million-dollar donation to the Ministry of Health to assist in the fight against COVID-19. Since March, when there was [...]

    Delays Due to U.S. Restrictions, but Additional Medical Supplies to Arrive Starting Next Week
    In a recent interview Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero, told News Five that there had been issues with the procuring of medical supplies, namely swabs and reagents to [...]

    Finnegan Commends Teachers Amid Delayed Salaries
    Educators across the country, those whose salaries are covered by government, will be paid on April twenty-ninth, along with all other public officers.  The unusually tardy payday is the result [...]

    Supreme Court Rules Against LPG Importers, Notice of Appeal is Filed
    Time is quickly running out for Gas Tomza Limited, Southern Choice Butane, Zeta Gas and Belize Western Energy Limited to continue in business. That is because the Supreme Court has [...]

    The Monopoly of National Gas Company Violates LPG Importers
    In her ruling last week, Justice Michelle Arana, was of the view that there exists issues to be resolved by the court in a pending constitutional claim. Attorneys for the [...]

    AG Responds to LPG Importers
    Responding to the LPG importers today was Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte. As mentioned, Gas Tomza Limited, Southern Choice Butane, Zeta Gas, and Belize Western Energy Limited have decided to appeal [...]

    Attorney General Responds to the Alliance of Ministers and Leaders of Belize
    The Alliance of Ministers and Leaders of Belize is petitioning the government to reconsider the position of the church as it relates to the State of Emergency. The clergy is [...]

    The Reporter

    Diplomatic Corps in Belize make a donation to the Red Cross
    Today, the Ambassadors and Representatives of International Organizations accredited in Belize, made a donation of BZ$12,000.00 dollars to the assistance program managed by the Belize Red Cross, in order to support its efforts against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of the Dean expresses its appreciation for the good offices of the Belize Red Cross for the efficient, transparent and impartial disbursement of resources.

    Car lands in North Creek Canal
    Earlier this evening a car landed in the North Creek Canal. Reports are that a domestic dispute contributed to the incident. Police are investigating the matter.

    LOVE FM

    Fire in Crique Jute Village
    Love News has received reliable reports that two houses were destroyed by fire in Crique Jute Village tonight. Our correspondent Paul Mahung has been following and informs us that thankfully no lives have been lost as was being rumored. We will share more details as we get them.

    GOB and PUP clash over unemployment program
    The portal for unemployment relief program closed on April 24, meaning that if you did not apply for financial aid, chances are you won’t be getting the help. At the time of the closure, an estimated eighty one thousand applications were submitted with over thirty five thousand being approved and almost three point five million dollars disbursed.

    Patient 6 discusses his recovery process
    The latest data came out a few minutes ago from the Ministry of Health and it has indicated that there are now nine COVID-19 patients categorized as recovered. One of those six recovered patient is a businessman out of San Ignacio Town, Cayo District.

    DHS gives an update on covid-19 in Belize
    “Belize is still not in the clear” – these are the words of the Director of Health Services, Dr Marvin Manzanero as he updated our newsroom on where we currently are in the fight against COVID-19. While there are no new confirmed cases to report, Dr Manzanero explained that they are still vigilant and are gearing up for what they refer to as randomization testing.

    Senate approves State of Emergency extension
    The State of Emergency for Belize has been extended for an additional sixty days. The Senate met in session today in Belmopan to debate the motion for the extension.

    Wild fires surging in the West
    The high temperatures particularly in the inland areas are not the only heat that residents have had to deal with in recent weeks. We have been reporting on the forest fires in the south and out west that have posed a health hazard for residents.

    Man shot in Dangriga
    Two persons were shot inside their home last night in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District. The incident occurred just after eight o’clock in the New Site Area as reported by our colleagues at Southern Belize Media.

    Prime Minister discusses Belize’s economy
    Prime Minister Dean Barrow is not only looking at how Belize will fare off in this COVID-19 pandemic but how the country will recover and reboot its economy. Prime Minister told the media yesterday that while tourism is at its lowest in decades, he believes in its resurgence.

    BEL explains increase in light bill
    Complaints of high electricity bills flooded social media this morning as many consumers noted that their bills had almost doubled. They questioned if it was some mistake by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), but BEL told us today that the increase in bills should be expected.

    Illegal entry during the COVID-19 pandemic
    As we reported yesterday, our neighbours in Mexico and Guatemala are battling with the rise in COVID-19 cases. The concerns on the ground here in Belize is the illegal crossings into Belize particularly at the areas of Jalacte, La Union, and Botes. To combat the illegal crossings that are reportedly occurring, the Ministry of Transport and the Immigration Department have launched a joint operation to dispel all illegal entry into these villages.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Airplane from Spanish Lookout loaded with water to douse Belmopan-area fires tomorrow
    Residents of the nation’s capital are expected to see an ease in the smoky sky […]

    Bush fire destroys house and many farmlands in Crique Jute, no fatalities
    Our colleagues at PGTV confirmed to BBN tonight that a bush fire near the remote […]

    Three more patients recover from COVID-19
    A release by the Office of the Director of Health Service has confirmed that three […]

    Diplomatic corps donates $12,000 to Belize Red Cross assistance fund to face effects of COVID-19
    Today, the Ambassadors and Representatives of International Organizations accredited in Belize, through the Office of […]

    PUP denounces closure of unemployment assistance program; claims thousands waiting for assistance
    The People’s United Party (PUP) issued a statement today saying that it does not agree […]

    First-ever Virtual Music Festival being held this week
    As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict the free movement of people worldwide, Belize’s creative […]

    Belizean healthcare workers celebrate Vaccination Week in the Americas, committed to facing challenges going forward
    Belize joins with the rest of the World Health Organization (WHO) member countries this week […]

    Belizean nationals extended stay in U.S. due to COVID-19 advised of procedure
    The Belize Embassy in Washington D.C. informs all Belizeans whose stay in the United States […]

    Post offices now open for business
    The Belize Postal service informs the public that all post offices are now open for […]

    Hulse: ‘Not a fact’ CEO resigned over cattle situation; food production is in good hands
    Minister for Food and Agriculture Senator Godwin Hulse says for the record that his soon […]

    What’s next? asks Senator Chebat after the State of Emergency is approved
    Senate Opposition Leader Michel Chebat, opening today’s debate in the Senate, has called for a […]

    65 persons charged for violating State of Emergency regulations
    On Monday, April 27, 65 people were arrested and charged for several offenses under the […]

    Man shot in Dangriga identified as Fredrick Coote; female also injured in incident
    Last night we reported that a man was shot in the New Site area of […]

    Coping in Uncertain Times
     Rudlh . Nl:  w k t mndr nd truggl t  n th unrtn tm, n mut k th qutn: “hv w   l lt ur w nd hv w frgttn wh w r nd wht hv n md u grt?” […]

    Bowen and Bowen donates hospital beds; mattresses and masks to Ministry of Health
    Bowen & Bowen and Companies (B&B) has pledged support to the Ministry of Health (“MOH”) […]

    Prime Minister guarantees no pay cut for public officers and teachers; looks forward to potential debt relief
    “I will do my damnedest to refrain from any pay cut for public officers.” Prime […]

    New Food Assistance Program ‘must be non-partisan’: P.M. Barrow
    Facing complaints that the Food Assistance Program opened a week or so ago is already […]

    Unemployment Relief Program ‘closed for now’
    The Unemployment Relief Program is shuttered after taking a staggering 81 thousand-plus applications in just […]

    Emergency provisions to be approved by Senate
    Inside the National Assembly this morning there will be debate on the 60-day extension of […]

    ‘Informal’ cattle trade with Guatemala illegal, cannot continue
    Guatemala has put its foot down: ranchers in western Belize cannot run cattle through the […]

    Blogs

    Get Inspired by these Belize Resorts’ Organic Gardens
    As people pick up new hobbies while remaining in self-quarantine, interest in gardening and farming is experiencing a boom. Developing a green thumb is a way to pass the time for some people, but others are using it as a comforting way to provide a easier access to fresh food. Especially under such stressful times, a personal garden can be a satisfying experience, with delicious perks. We challenge your green thumb to get inspired by these Belize resorts’ organic on-site gardens for your own fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and more. Being indoors at a time like this forces you to practice simple living – you realize that these little tasks are indeed fulfilling.

    Ambergris Caye, Belize Update – State of Emergency Extended For Two More Months
    Yesterday the Government of Belize voted to extend the State of Emergency for the country for another two months – until the end of June. Our country has a relatively low population (estimated around 350,000 thousand), a very low population density and we have been extremely lucky when it comes to CoVID19 numbers. And the 18 cases (with two deaths) have not increased at all for about two weeks. But that is not the case for the countries that surround us – the Yucatan is reporting a rising curve … So for two more months, our borders will remain closed. District to district travel is curtailed unless you are deemed essential workers. And our island, in addition, will be closed to anyone trying to get on or off (minus special exceptions).

    International Sourcesizz

    Long-term drought still of concern to several Caribbean countries
    The Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) says long-term drought is of immediate concern in several Caribbean countries and is evolving in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Barbados, Belize, Suriname, Trinidad, and the Windward Islands, except Grenada. In its latest edition of the Caribbean Climate Outlook Newsletter, CariCOF said that as at the start of this month, “moderate or worse drought has developed across The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, much of Cuba, westernmost Jamaica, Martinique, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and south-western Trinidad. It said short-term drought, until the end of May, is evolving in west-central Belize and is possible in northernmost Bahamas, northern Belize, Suriname, and Tobago.

    No answers on 2017 Belize murder of Keswick woman
    Three years later, it doesn’t appear cops in two countries are any closer to unravelling the mysterious strangulation murders of Keswick real estate speculator Francesca Matus, 52, and her boyfriend, former U.S. Marine, Drew DeVoursney, 36, of Georgia. From the start, detectives believed that the murders were carried out by more than one person. DeVoursney stood 6’6 and could handle himself in a fight. It would have taken a gun or more than one conspirator.

    Caribbean tops 10,000 COVID-19 cases
    The total number of coronavirus cases in the Caribbean region has topped 10,000 with the Dominican Republic leading with 6,293 cases, 282 deaths and 993 recovered while Saint Lucia has had 15 cases, 15 recovered and no deaths. This is information, as of April 27, 2020, coming out of over 30 Caribbean countries with Guyana having the 15th highest number of cases, at 74, with 8 deaths and 12 recovered.

    Remote Belize Village With No Access to Safe Drinking Water Gets Solar-Powered Device to Suck It Out of the Air
    On a remote island off the coast of Belize, there is a fishing village that, historically, has relied on ferries to bring its residents drinking water in plastic bottles—a service that has now been disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, at the end of 2019, an initiative between Arizona-based company Zero Mass Water and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) led to the installation of hydropanels that turn air and sunlight into drinking water. The installation of the panels in Caye Caulker, which was done before the COVID-19 outbreak, is part of a wider project called the Caribbean Climate Smart Island Program. "It aims to demonstrate how these communities can transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathway in sectors such as water, energy and waste treatment, among others," Cody Friesen, CEO and co-founder of Zero Mass Water, told Newsweek.

    Videos

  • Special Sitting of the Senate, 1hr45min. National Assembly Belmopan

  • Ministry of Health Quarantine Guidelines, 1min. We have ask now for persons to be under quarantine for 21 days or until the health officer give you the all clear.

  • Caramel Brownies, 6min. Do you have a sweet tooth? Well, we have a real treat for you today! Our DYS coworker, Adrienne, is in the kitchen today teaching us how to bake these delicious brownies. Happy baking!

  • Aggressor Belize III Liveaboard, 9min. February 22nd-29th, 2020 Scuba World Blue Hole Adventure

  • Happy World and National Tapir Day from Gerson and Fuego! , 1/2min.

  • BUSH FIRES ARE AFFECTING OUR POWER SUPPLY SERVICE, 1/4min. Our teams continue to manage the effects of bush fires on our power system during the extended drought. We are committed to providing customers with safe and reliable electricity though at times, there may be unplanned outages outside of our control for these reasons. Please maintain a safe distance and report any wildfire near power lines or any suspected fires affecting power lines. Call free 0.800.BEL.CARE (0.800.235.2273) or send us a Facebook message.

  • Three Kings of Belize, 90min. Documentary on three musicians that lived in Belize. One Creole, one Mayan and one Garifuna. Excellent sound track.

  • The National Gas Company (Belize) Ltd. - Fueling Belize Forward, 3.5min. Belize is the only country in the region that does not have an LPG Marine Terminal, in other words, we depend on other countries in the region to get our cooking gas.

  • Belize- Travel Vlog, 13min. Here are some fun adventures and travel tips and some reasons why I wouldn't go back. The highlights are waterfalls, caves, paddle boarding, snorkeling (kinda), some cute dogs, and getting tan.

  • Eyes of the Explorer: Punta Gorda, 4min. See Belize through the eyes of chef and traveler Nyesha Arrington in episode 4 of our 4-part video series, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board. The media company ChefsFeed and chef Nyesha Arrington won the 2020 Best Video by a Media Company for their series - Eyes of the Explorer and we are proud to be a part of this initiative! The series takes us through different culinary capitals of Belize as Chef Nyesha is immersed into our culture via food.

  • Chiquitin asks for blessing, 15sec. Our Yucatec Maya (Máasewal) elders of Belize predicted the weather by observing the behavior of Animals . One of this insects is known as Chiquitin which in the video we hear it is calling for the blessing of Yuum Chaak (Rain).

    April 28, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    House of Representatives agree to extend State of Emergency for two additional months
    The House of Representatives of Belize approved a two-month extension on the current State of Emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The motion will be debated by members of the Senate on Tuesday, April 28th.

    Island fishers charged for possession of closed-season and undersized conch and lobster
    Fishers Edwin Flores, Andy Cob, Cesar Lima, and Elvis Hercules were detained in separate incidents on Saturday, April 25th, in a joint operation conducted by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) and the San Pedro Police Formation.

    Summary of Statutory Instrument No. 62 of 2020
    The following regulations apply to all areas of Belize: Is there a curfew? Yes. Curfew hours are as follows: 1. For children 16 years and under, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. the following morning 2. For adults, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. the following morning Is anyone exempt from curfew? Yes. Who can move freely during curfew? Frontline healthcare workers who are on duty who are reporting to or from work for the Ministry of Health or its statutory bodies

    Five Men Charged for Illegal Activities within a Wildlife Sanctuary
    The public was advised on April 2, 2020, of the closure of all protected areas to visitors and the public for the duration of the state of emergency. There remained, however, the duty of safeguarding all assets and resources from potential illegal activities and vandalism/theft of physical and natural assets on the sites.

    Ministry of Labour – Frequently Asked Questions Version II, COVID-19 Labour/Employment Situations
    1. The Government of Belize has issued a proclamation declaring a state of emergency (Statutory Instrument 45 of 2020): (I) Are the employees entitled to wages during this period if they are not working? RESPONSE: Please note that once an employee’s employment contract is in force, his or her employer has an obligation to pay […]

    Government’s Response to Wildfire Situation
    The public is hereby advised on the situation with wildfires across the country and updated on the work being done by the Government of Belize. The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment (DOE) and other agencies including the Fire Department, the Belmopan City Council, the San Ignacio Town Council, and ranger volunteers such as the Southern Wildfire Group, continue to collaborate to actively address the ongoing fires.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    An important message the Hon. Pablo Marin ...
    Taking this time to share the latest information of Quintana Roo, Mexico; throughout the week, the number of COVID-19 cases continue on the rise as this week 227 new cases were reported. They now have 550 positive COVID-19 cases on record of which 12 are in the neighboring city of Chetumal. This is to show that the novel coronavirus remains close to home and we must protect our country. It is a call for those defying our border closure to desist from any illegal crossing. This not only puts our frontliners, your loved ones but entire Belize at risk. It also defeats the joint effort being done by all in following Government safety and health measures. If you know of any person doing so please report it to the authorities, we need the cooperation of everyone in the fight against COVID-19.

    Three Men Charged $6000 for Illegal Activities within a Wildlife Sanctuary
    The public was advised on April 2, 2020, of the closure of all protected areas to visitors and the public for the duration of the state of emergency. There remained, however, the duty of safeguarding all assets and resources from potential illegal activities and vandalism/theft of physical and natural assets on the sites. As a result of enforcement activities, on April 24, 2020, Jose Angel Maravilla, Juaquin Ico, Florencio Choc, Elsueio Cho and Alfus Edwards, all of San Roman Village in the Stann Creek District were charged for the offenses of: 1) Illegal Entry into a Wildlife Sanctuary, 2) Illegal Hunting within a Wildlife Sanctuary, and 3) Illegal Fishing within a Wildlife Sanctuary.

    Summary of Statutory Instrument No. 62 of 2020 which came into effect on April 26, 2020
    The following regulations apply to all areas of Belize: Is there a curfew? Yes. Curfew hours are as follows: For children 16 years and under, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the following morning For adults, from 8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. the following morning Is anyone exempt from curfew? Yes. Who can move freely during curfew? Frontline healthcare workers who are on duty who are reporting to or from work for the Ministry of Health or its statutory bodies ...

    Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has issued a press release encouraging Belizeans to support local businesses to help boost the local economy
    The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) reinforces its longstanding support of the “Buy Belizean Goods and Services To Build Belize” concept. Our support is based on the fact that every dollar spent on local goods and services is one extra dollar for local enterprises and local jobs. The BCCI therefore encourages all Belizeans to support local manufacturers, service providers and farmers. Not only will this save and, in some instances, even create more jobs; supporting local also encourages innovation and believes the strain on Belize’s foreign exchange needs.

    Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry – Temporary Office Hours
    The public is hereby notified that, effective immediately, the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry will be open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. only. The office will be closed to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The office continues to provide services via email at this time. All applications and filings should be emailed to [email protected].

    Earth Day Photo Contest
    Courtesy SACD - Only two days to go until our photo competition for Earth Day closes. Make sure you send us your photos and descriptions before it's too late!

    Power outage 7:00am to 9:00am, Wednesday, April 29 to affect the entire Corozal District
    BEL to conduct repairs to device on the transmission system in the area.

    BTB Staff Provides Support to Those Affected by the COVID-19 Crisis
    In the face of the COVID-19 crisis, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) recognizes that it is imperative to reach out to help those most in need. On this premise, BTB's staff has come together to donate towards community outreach initiatives in several different areas of the country. The first outreach was carried out this past week with Ms. Khadija Assales - a local jewelry artisan in the Cayo district. The BTB teamed up with Ms Assales who has been providing basic food packages which include flour, rice, beans, minsa, cooking oil, and vegetables to families in Cayo. BTB's donation allowed other basic necessities such as soap powder, toothpaste, toilet tissue, bath soap, and eggs to be added to 100 packages which were distributed to families in Calla Creek village.

    Cerros (Cerro Maya) Research Online Catalogue (CROC)
    For our archaeology enthusiasts - The Cerros (Cerro Maya) Research Online Catalogue (CROC) has been supported by National Endowment for the Humanities Grant #PW-51116-12 (2012-2014) and a University of Florida Faculty Enhancement Opportunity Grant (2011). The collection, numbering over 200,000 items, was originally excavated between 1974 and 1981. The artifacts were accessioned by the Florida Museum of Natural History in 2009 by agreement with the Belize Institute of Archaeology.

    Supporting Teachers and School Leaders to Thrive in Uncertain Times
    The MoE thru the efforts of the Teacher Education Development Services Unit (TEDS) is pleased to offer CPD courses that will allow teachers to work on their own time and be able to communicate with course facilitators via email. Interested? Please visit us and register now here. Ministry of Education Youth Sports & Culture supporting teachers and school leaders in uncertain times!

    San Pedro Power Outage on Thursday
    Power outage 8:00am to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30 to affect entire San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. BEL to repair hotspots on the power distribution system and repair device and conduct maintenance of the transmission system in the area.

    The San Pedro Town Council thank you for relief efforts
    Mayor Daniel Guerrero and The San Pedro Town Council wish to thank the following people who have helped with our relief supply efforts: Mrs Rhonda Westman Brown and Rum Dog for their generous donation of 4 sacks of food relief supplies. (not pictured) Mr. Roger and Fran Nordstrom. (not pictured) We also take the opportunity to thank the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Hugo Patt, for securing over 1000 pounds of wheat flour for the island of Ambergris Caye. (pictured)

    Testing Booth in Corozal
    Today Mayor Rigo Vellos and the Corozal Town Council made a donation of a TESTING BOOTH to the Corozal COVID-19 Task Force. We will continue working with the relevant entities as best as we can, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our people. Special mention to Mr. Ivan Copo and Eric's Welding Service for their valuable support to this cause.

    Update on wildfires: What is being Done and Prospects for Improvement
    The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment and other agencies including the Fire Department, the Belmopan City Council, and the business community continue to join forces to fight fires around Belmopan and out west in the Vaca Forest Reserve. Major successes were recorded yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, around Belmopan and in the Vaca Forest Reserve. Belmopan: Yesterday, Sunday, April 26th, the Forest Department along with the Belmopan City Council and Westar Services, successfully controlled two wildfires in northeast Belmopan. The crew remained dedicated to the task well into the night to ensure the fires would not reignite.

    SOCIAL SECURITY TEMPORARY OFFICE SCHEDULE
    Effective today, April 27, 2020 all Branch Offices countrywide will be open to offer ONLY Cashier Services and Issuing of Top Up Bank Cards. For Other Services: 1. Submit Sickness Benefit Claims, Salary Sheet, Medical Certificates submissions to: [email protected]; 2. Email queries on Sickness, Maternity or Injury Benefits and Online Contribution Portal Registration to: [email protected]; 3. Live chat on Facebook: SsbBelize

    Adjustment of Immigration Fees Effective May 1, 2020
    The Ministry of Immigration hereby advises the public that on March 23, 2020, Minister Hon. Godwin Hulse signed Statutory Instrument No. 42 of 2020, gazetted on March 28, 2020. The Statutory Instrument, titled Immigration (Permits and Fees) (Revised) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020 authorize the adjustment of immigration fees with effect from May 1, 2020, as follows:

    Paint N Splash
    See you this week at from 2-4pm Today to paint "Cute Cactus".

    UPDATE ON GUN LICENSES
    The Commissioner of Police, Chester C. Williams is pleased to inform the general public that effective today Monday, April 27th, 2020, the Belize Police Department has resumed the relicensing of expired firearm license. A person whose firearm had expired during the suspended period due to the pandemic COVID-19 can now relicense their firearms.

    Court Session at the Caye Caulker Village Council Wednesday
    The Caye Caulker Village Council would like to inform the Caye Caulker Community that today, Tuesday, and Wednesday they will be a Court Session at the Caye Caulker Village Council office at 9:00 a.m. The Immigration Department will also be here issuing stamps as of 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. For the court session, numbers will be issued out and everyone present must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Thank you

    Scholarship Opportunity
    CCRIF SPC invites applications for scholarships for 2020/21 to support students pursuing Masters level degree programmes in areas such as disaster risk management (DRM), natural resources management, climate change, civil with environmental engineering, actuarial science, and meteorology, among others. These scholarships are tenable at universities in the Caribbean, USA, UK and Canada and can be for either online or face-to-face programmes.

    Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen on Tuesday
    Tuesday, April 28th, Meal pick ups Location: Food Republic. Times: Village: 11:00-11:45 am. Bahia: 11:45 am-12:30 pm. Thank you for bringing your containers! "It takes a village to feed a village"

    Power outage scheduled for 8:00am to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2020, to affect entire San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
    BEL to conduct urgent repairs to hotspots on the power distribution system, replace lighting arrestors, and conduct maintenance on the transmission system and substation.

    Galen's gearing up for Summer classes. Online classes
    Are you looking to continue your program or just need to take a few courses? Galen University is now open for registration for Summer Courses! ALL classes will now be ONLINE for the summer semester!

    Raffle to benefit Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen
    We are excited to announce for every $100 or more donated to the Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen GoFundMe starting Monday, April 27 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) and ending Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. (CST) donors will be entered into a raffle for a 7 day, 6 night stay at the beautiful Sandcastle (Pool House Apartment). One entry for every $100.00 donated. Value: $950.00.

    Channel 7

    Two Weeks Without A COVID Positive
    There are no new positive cases of COVID 19 to report tonight - and that makes it two weeks since the last positive case has appeared. Statistics produced yesterday show that 6 people have recovered, leaving only 10 active COVID cases in Belize. Today in Belmopan, the Minister of Health said that there may be more persons recovered in the most recent round of testing - but with the number of cases in Chetumal exploding, Belize needs to remain hyper vigilant:

    A Most Unusual House Meeting
    We spoke to Marin outside today's House Meeting - which was convened to extend the state of emergency by 60 days. It was historic for that piece of house business, and in a few other ways - from the limited number of members in chamber, to the masks and gloves they wore. Jules Vasquez was there to catalogue it all, and here's his report. It was an unusual day in the House for sure. All members showed up in masks. Some more stylish than others. As for the press, we were told we couldn't even go up.

    PM Didn't Expect Such PUP Dissent
    We should note that the opposition's position is that in fact the Task Force Oversight Committee agreed to extend the state of emergency but did not set a time of 30 or 60 days. But, whatever the case, the 60 day extension was passed by the four man majority in the House today - and it goes to the Senate tomorrow. Speaking with the Prime Minister outside the house, he said he knew the PUP would not agree to the 60 days:

    PM Says Economy Must Start To Re-open
    And, dismay is a common sentiment within the private sector as they wait eagerly for the economy to re-open. It's the same for government which is projecting a 400 million dollar shortfall in recurrent revenue. That's what the new State of Emergency regulations which go out on Friday are being closely watched. Many are hoping that it will allow greater economic activity after a costly two week national lockdown.

    Will Public Officers/Teachers Face Paycut?
    And the government's urgency to get some of the major revenue offices opened is because it can scarcely meet payroll and other operational expenditures. Last week we told you that the pay day for teachers had to be pushed back 5 days, and the prompted us to ask the PM if the 14 thousand teachers and public officers may see some kind of pay cut:

    Finnegan Tells Teachers To Be Thankful
    And, while Teachers, who last got paid over a month ago are struggling and stretching to make it to make it to payday, one senior UDP member said that in times like these, they are lucky to have a pay check they can count on: "There are thousands of people out there who will get no pay at all, who will never see a money in months to come..."

    Will Belize Default on Debt ?
    And so, while government says it hopes to recover somewhat financially before it even thinks of cutting the pay of teachers and public officers, can it pay its creditors? 11 days ago, Standard and Poor rated Belize's outlook as negative and warned the finance world that, quote, "The negative outlook reflects increased vulnerability to nonpayment of upcoming debt service, particularly the interest due on Belize's global bond (around US$13 million) in August 2020." End quote.

    COVID Relief Program Shut Down at 82k Applicants
    And a waiting game is just what tens of thousands of applicants to the COVID 19 Unemployment Relief Program are playing. The online portal, which was the main avenue for applying for this COVID-19 financial aid, was closed to new applicants at around 4 p.m. on last Friday. According to the Government, at that time, a total of 81,007 applications were submitted. Out of that number, 37,371 applications have been approved, and 34,425 have been sent to the Social Security Board for payment to applicants.

    PM Says Cattle Informal Trade Actually Illegal
    And the Prime Minister was very candid about the cattle trade to Guatemala which has been disrupted. As we have been reporting this has caused much pain and economic losses to cattle ranchers. The informal trade used to run through the backdoor at Bullett Tree in the Cayo District. But, the Guatemalans have stopped it and today the PM said it must remain that way:

    Mother Loses Second Son to Murder
    It's the third state of emergency murder - and the first one in 25 days. It happened this morning just before 6:00 in Hattieville and the victim was Julian Ebanks. He had moved into his mother's home after a recent release from prison and told her that he expected to be targeted. And this morning when bullets rang out on their street that frantic mother ran to pull her son out of the drain in which he'd fallen. She spoke to Cherisse Halsall Earlier today.

    Cyclist Killed In Fatal Accident
    61-year-old Jose Antonio Oliva was killed in a traffic accident on Friday night entering Yo Creek village, Orange Walk. It happened at about 6:45, Oliva had just finished checking a water tank and was riding away from his workplace, when he was knocked down by a pickup truck. Earlier today CTV3 spoke to Oliva's brother Edwardo who says that his family's only concern now is to give Jose as decent a burial as they can muster in what are troubled times.

    National Response To Wildfires
    For the last 2 weeks, wildfires, caused by severe ongoing drought, have been plaguing the Cayo residents. This weekend, that concern grew sharply after burning forests in the western district began threatening nearby communities. The Government and environmental NGOs had to tackle that problem head-on with a series of interventions. We start first tonight our coverage of this environmental crisis, with a recap of the weekend's interventions. The Forest Department, the National Fire Service, the Department of Environment, the Belmopan City Council, the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council, and ranger volunteers such as the SoutherWildfire Group, partnered over the weekend to implement mitigation measures.

    DOE's Answer To Fires
    And today, The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment, and Sustainable Development provided a very detailed update on the wildfire situation in the Cayo District. Their account demonstrates that the problem is very difficult to manage, and the effects being felt in Belize are being compounded by wildfires occurring happening neighboring Central American Countries. 2 wildfires in an area northeast of Belmopan were successfully controlled by the Forest Department, with aid of the Belmopan City Council and Westar Services. The crew maintained their firefighting efforts well into the night to ensure that the fires wouldn't simply flare-up the next day.

    FIGHTING FIRES IN TOLEDO...
    As we told you earlier, these wildfires have also ignited in other parts of the country. The Ministry says that they've identified fires in the Bladen Nature Reserve. Today, a group of rangers from the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, came to the aid of residents of the Hopeville in the Toledo District. The swamp near their community has dried up due to the drought, and now, they have large quantities of fuel for an uncontrolled wildfire.

    The Burning in Benque
    In the west, we understand that regular individuals in the community played a major role in coming to the aid of Cayo residents living near the burning forests of the Vaca Reserve. We have since been provided with a cell phone interview with 3 women: 3 civilians who noticed the distress that the residents of Benque Viejo Town faced, due to a shortage in food caused by the COVID-19 threat. They decided that they wanted to help, and coincidentally, their intervention took place when the wildfires were raging in the Vaca reserve.

    National Fire Service Working Overtime
    The National Fire Service is also alerting the public that in order to help with the fights against these wildfires in Western Belize, their equipment and staff have been put under significant strain. A press release from the Fire Department says that they have been in constant motion as they try to address as many bush fires as possible. They have kept their trucks constantly in the field, going from one fire to the next.

    Reagent Arrived, Swabs Didn't
    Turning now from fires to COVID-19 tests.we note that some key testing supplies arrived on Saturday. But, the specialised swabs to take the tests did not arrive - and we asked the Minister about it today:... "We are lucky enough; the swabs should be coming in on Wednesday. They were not confiscated, but just hold on the side. The enzymes came in yesterday, so we are goo to continue doing our testing."

    PM: Food Package Program Free From Tampering
    In other COVID 19 news, the Prime Minister went to some lightens today to defend the food relief program. The PUP members threw some glancing blows at it today in the House of Representatives - suggesting that the program was less than efficient, and subject to political meddling. The Prime Minister rejected that, saying the program is free from political interference:

    No Sweetheart Pass, How About A Heartbreak Visa?
    It has now been 14 days since the last confirmed case of Coronavirus was detected in Belize. Even before that we'd closed our borders, instituted a complete lockdown, and asked many of our citizens with even secondary contacts of San Ignacio and Belize City clusters to self-quarantine. So, while domestically, there is no appearance of the dreaded virus, that means the only threat from Coronavirus is external - meaning what can come across the border. That threat was personified by 28-year-old Sergio Cabanias over the weekend when he crossed into Belize through an illegal point of entry at Patchakan village.

    They Were Down By the River
    It's been an excessively hot few days and the heat coupled with the boredom of lockdown might have you dreaming about a river day. But not so fast, says the Commissioner Chester Williams. On Saturday he took facebook posting quote: "Over 20 persons were arrested in the Cayo area and on in Orange Walk after they were found recreating on the banks of or in rivers." He adds, quote, "So for the avoidance of doubt, going to the river is not a valid reason to be out. Anyone found going to or at the river will be arrested."

    Sandbar Stragglers Arrested
    And the waterway violations didn't stop there because on Sunday afternoon the Coast Guard made its own state of emergency arrests. They brought in 5 people guilty of recreating at the Sandbar near St. George's Caye. And the evidence for that recreation, a cooler stocked with ice, a bottle of coke, and an Elephant foot.

    What About The Students Out There?
    Going back now to today's interview with the Prime Minister, we asked him about the status of Belizean students in many corners of the world, who may be finished their studies, or may have an expired visa for the country they are studying in, or may be in a country with a dangerous number of COVID 19 cases. They can't come home because the borders are closed and look to remain that way for a while. He says consideration will be given to them:

    PM Still Supports Tourism
    An while those students may be able to come home - nobody's talking about tourists coming back into the country anytime soon. That gives rise to the question of whether tourism will be a viable industry at all for Belize in the future. The Prime Minister today said that he is confident it will re-emerge: "But those who say to me 'you need to encourage people to get out of tourism,' I don't agree with that at all..."

    PM Supports Media In House
    And, as we told you at the top of the news, the press was not allowed into the House of Representatives today. After we made some noise, arrangements were made to have us go into he house and sit in socially distant areas - which was no problem at all. But, who gave the order to keep the media out of the house in the first place?

    LPG Injunction Fail
    2 weeks ago, we told you about how the 3 Central American LPG companies, Gas Tomza, Southern Choice Butane, and Belize Western Energy Limited, ended up in a confrontation with the Government because they tried to drop the price of their butane as a relief to Belizeans. The Supplies Control Unit of the Belize Bureau of Standards sent them warning letters threatening to take action against them for attempting to arbitrarily change what is essentially a regulated price. The Central American companies then went on a public offensive, defending their actions as benevolent.

    New Rules For Bus Riders
    The Government has relaxed the strict restrictions on movement, which were implemented to prevent the local spread of the coronavirus. But, commuters countrywide are being expected to take certain precautions for public health purposes. The Department of Transport is asking Belizeans to plan ahead and consider traveling outside of rush hours, if possible, to continue observing social distancing. As per the recommendations of the World Health Organization, passengers are being expected to keep 3 to 6 feet apart from each other, to reduce the possibility of person-to-person transmission of the virus.

    More Out of Season Conch
    On Sunday fishermen were allowed to resume fishing for subsistence but that didn't mean breaking seasonal rules for what they're currently allowed to catch. Four San Pedro fishermen found that out the hard way when they were nabbed by the staff of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve for their illegal catch of the day. Edwin Flores, Cesar Lima & Andy Cobb were arraigned today, April 27th, 2020, on the charge of possession of undersized and out of season lobster and conch, fishing without a valid fishing license, and obstruction.

    Channel 5

    Sixty-day State of Emergency Goes Before the House
    There was a special sitting of the House of Representatives this morning in Belmopan where only the bare minimum necessary to have a quorum was allowed to participate in the [...]

    Cordel Says Thirty Days Would Have Been Better
    Lake Independence Area Rep., Cordel Hyde was in favour of a thirty-day extension. In speaking on the motion to extend the existing state of emergency for an additional sixty days, [...]

    Will Teachers and Public Officers’ Salaries Be Cut?
    The economic picture for Belize remains grim and dismal, due to the new coronavirus crisis.  Government’s revenue is falling by almost half a billion dollars as a result of the [...]

    To Extend or Not to Extend S.O.E. for Sixty Days
    Opposition Leader John Briceño also sits on the National Oversight Committee as co-chair.  While he has been abreast of government’s need to reopen the economy as quickly as possible, the [...]

    What’s the Fate of the Super Bond?
    The Super Bond, as well as other external debts owed to international creditors, is also an area of concern for government given the financial crunch it has found itself in [...]

    Ten Million Used for Food Assistance
    The online portal of the Unemployed Relief Fund closed on Friday; as many as eighty-one thousand persons applied for benefits, having lost their jobs due to COVID-19 or were jobless [...]

    Marked for Death, Julian Ebanks is Murdered in Bainsville, Hattieville
    Julian Ebanks was shot and killed this morning in the Bainsville area of Hattieville Village. Ebanks was released from prison merely two weeks and had complained that his life was [...]

    Another COVID-19 Patient Recovers; Only Ten Active Cases Remain
    There is a gradual re-opening of business since according to the information from the Ministry of Health, there is containment of the corona virus and only ten cases are active. [...]

    What’s Going On with Those Test Kits?
    Close to a thousand persons have been tested for COVID-19, but the Ministry of Health is running out of supplies needed to carry out those tests. In fact, there are [...]

    COVID-19 Here to Stay; What Happens When Flu Season Comes Around?
    DHS Doctor Marvin Manzanero, during this morning COVID-19 update on Open Your Eyes, said that this is only the first outbreak in Belize, which the government was able to control. [...]

    Westline Layoffs Personnel Due to COVID-19
    COVID-19 has the Belize economy in a chokehold and while the government struggles to breathe, a long list of businesses countrywide are forced to shut down and lay off employees. [...]

    PM Barrow Refutes Claims of Politicization of COVID Relief
    There has been constant criticism from the People’s United Party that relief aid being provided by the Barrow administration is being done through political constituencies, as opposed to organizations such [...]

    NEMO is Under-Utilized in Providing Humanitarian Relief
    Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat also raised the issue of the Red Cross and the Belize Defense Force as part of the COVID distribution network.  He, too, had strong [...]

    PM Weighs in on Livestock Drama
    The trade of livestock between Belize and Guatemala has been described as informal, but today Prime Minister Barrow flatly referred to the under-the-table industry as illegal and a business that, [...]

    Is the P.U.P. in or Out of Bipartisan Effort to Fight COVID-19?
    During his wrap up, PM Barrow went in on co-chair John Briceño and the People’s United Party, following a televised message aired by the Opposition Leader on Holy Saturday.  While [...]

    Media Barred from Entering House at Start of Special Sitting
    While the debate was inside the house, outside a very worrisome situation developed this morning.  On Friday, a plan was worked out among the media to pool resources so that [...]

    Forest Department and Partners Battle Wildfires
    Bush fires have been popping up all over the country in recent days as the dry weather prevails. A few days ago, laws were put in place to fine persons [...]

    59 Persons Arrested for S.O.E. Violations
    Fifty-nine persons countrywide were arrested and charged over the weekend for breaking the State of Emergency regulations. According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, forty-five persons were arrested for being [...]

    Five Men Charged $6000 for Illegal Activities within a Wildlife Sanctuary
    In addition to the arrests made at the river banks and elsewhere during the state of emergency, five persons were also arrested, charged and fined for violations of the National [...]

    Councilor Haresh Vaswani Charged for S.O.E. Violations
    According to Councilor Vaswani, as they were headed home the driver of the vehicle took a left turn contrary to traffic. A police mobile spotted them and pulled the men [...]

    Nigel Espat Recovers from COVID-19
    He was COVID-19 patient number six and on Sunday, Cayo resident Nigel Espat became the sixth person to recover from the virus. Espat was able to breathe a sigh of [...]

    M.O.E. Cuts Back Schools’ Subventions for April
    The Ministry of Education says that the nearly non-existent revenue flow has forced it to make a difficult decision. The Ministry has decided, after a meeting with managing authorities that [...]

    LOVE FM

    PM tells LOO to stop playing politics
    Among several other issues that arose in the House of Representatives meeting earlier today was the unfortunate mix of politics into the COVID-19 relief efforts. Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno, began this conversation over the Easter weekend when he accused the Barrow administration of politicizing the distribution of aid and finances whilst threatening to remove himself from the National Oversight Committee.

    State of Emergency extension approved
    A Special Sitting of the House of Representatives took place today in Belmopan with just the bare minimum needed to make quorum. This is in consideration of the social distancing practice.

    Government tackles cattle situation in the west
    Last week we told you of the case where livestock producers were unable to make the sale on their cattle via the Bullet Tree informal passage. Initially, the information was that the village chairman was blocking the export into Guatemala.

    14 days with no new covid-19 cases
    Belize is at day-14 and counting since its last report of a confirmed case of Covid-19. The Government and public are now cautiously optimistic as restrictions have been relaxed effective yesterday and some stores and offices are now reopening its doors.

    Belmopan residents affected by fires in the area
    Belmopan residents are complaining of not being able to breathe due to the smoke that has settled over the city. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz has the details.

    Hattieville man killed after 24 days of no murders
    The last time we heard about a murder in Belize was on April 4. The peace that Belizeans had been experiencing over the past 3 and a half weeks was disrupted early this morning when gunshots rang out and fatally injured one man.

    Guatemala gets an extension to submit its claim to the Intentional Court of Justice
    The claim by Guatemala against Belize was due in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on June 8, 2020. Their deadline, however, has been drawnout after they submitted a request for a 12-month extension.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Swift, Smart and Bold Covid 19 Strategies Do Pay-Off: The Case of Selected Countries with Male- and Female-Headed Governments
    By Marcelino Avila, PhD: While reviewing over the weekend the most recent reports and data on the Covid-19 epidemic around the world, my wife Mill injected an interesting question […]

    Man shot a short while ago in Dangriga
    Minutes ago a man was shot in Dangriga, Stann Creek. He was reportedly in the […]

    Appeal for interim injunction after Supreme Court decision
    The three major importers of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Belize plan to appeal to […]

    National Assembly apologizes for media freeze-out
    After an untimely mix-up caused the press attending this morning’s meeting of the House of […]

    Prime Minister ‘dismayed’ by opposition to lengthy SOE extension but contemplates relaxation
    Prime Minister Dean Barrow admitted to being a ‘a little bit dismayed’ by the actions […]

    Health Minister stands by testing regimen, addresses equipment delays
    With just over nine hundred tests done since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic here, Belize […]

    Government updates on response to wildfires
    The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment and other agencies including the Fire Department, […]

    Forest Department Wildland Fire Crew responds to fires in Vaca Forest Reserve
    On Sunday, April 26, 2020, the Forest Department Wildland Fire Crew from the Mountain Pine […]

    New Zealand boasts victory over COVID-19, removes most of its restrictions
    While the COVID-19 pandemic reached over 3 million cases worldwide today, the Government of New […]

    Human Resource Management Association of Barbados hosting free webinar on employment post-COVID-19
    On Wednesday, the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados Inc. (HRMAB) will be hosting a […]

    Companies Registry announces temporary office hours
    The Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) has announced that it will be operating […]

    Emergency provisions approved; media allowed to observe
    After a delay of 45 minutes, members of the press were finally allowed access inside […]

    Cristo Rey volunteers continue to fight fires in Western Belize
    The Cristo Rey Village Council organized a team of volunteers that began fighting fires on […]

    Belize Red Cross Society distributes 450 hygiene kits to front line workers
    Today, the Belize Red Cross Society distributed 450 hygiene kits to front line workers. Recipients […]

    BTB staff provides support to persons affected by COVID-19 crisis
    The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) says that it recognizes that it is imperative to reach […]

    Julius Espat: ‘Belize doesn’t really need SOE’
    The People’s United Party is on record as approving an extension of the current state […]

    Five men charged $6000 for illegal activities within a Wildlife Sanctuary
    On April 2, all protected areas were closed to visitors and the public for the […]

    Five men charged $6000 for illegal activities within a Wildlife Sanctuary
    On April 2, all protected areas were closed to visitors and the public for the […]

    Health Minister Pablo Marin joins emergency debate
    In his first appearance since going into quarantine at the end of March, Minister of […]

    Debate begins on extension of state of emergency
    The seven parliamentarians in whose hands the State of Emergency lies are debating the proposed […]

    Orange Walk Town councilor arrested for violating State of Emergency regulations
    Reports reaching BBN is that Orange Walk town councillor, Haresh Vaswani, was detained yesterday evening […]

    Police Commissioner issues preemptive warning to certain businesses
    While the Government of Belize (GOB) has adjusted the State of Emergency (SOE) regulations, the […]

    Independent media disallowed from entering National Assembly
    Breaking Belize News arrived moments ago in Belmopan to find that no member of the […]

    PAHO urges countries to maintain vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic
    The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging all countries to maintain vaccination during the […]

    Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry reinforces support to buy Belizean goods and services
    The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) issued a statement today reinforcing its longstanding […]

    Galen University’s school year uninterrupted by COVID-19, students can now register for summer courses
    Despite the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on schools around the world, Galen University’s […]

    Parliament meets today to extend State of Emergency
    The House of Representatives, in a quorum, meets this morning in Belmopan. Its sole purpose […]

    National Student Union of Belize organizes online forum
    Today the National Student Union of Belize will be hosting an online forum titled, “Youth Chat on Covid 19: Beyond the Horizon.” […]

    Still Total Lockdown?
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    Murder reported early this morning in Hattieville
    31-year-old Julian Ebanks of Hattieville, Belize District, was found shot dead before 6 a.m. today, according to police […]

    Blogs

    Crazy COVID-19 Update and Farm Fresh List
    As of today it’s been 14 days with no new COVID-19 related infections in Belize. Although the entire country has been given rules, here on the island we are well trained and still waiting for the other shoe to drop. As far as San Pedro and Ambergris Caye go, on Reef TV this morning, the mayor called-in and arbitrarily set 2:00 pm as the store closure time for today. I Also, so many new crazy changes are coming into place, like the Adjustment of Immigration Fees, which includes a new price hikes. WTF? Lets mess with the Belize economy some more – Not.

    Caribbean Lifestyle: Belize Gold Book, Coming Summer 2020
    While digital is important, print matters to consumers. Therefore, there’s no debating that. As such, our newest publication is an addition to the popular print and online resource of Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle (CC+L). The Belize Gold Book debuts Summer 2020 with a modest goal: be the leading travel resource on Belize and serve as the backbone of Belize’s thriving tourism industry. Within, the Gold Book will cover all Belize tourism-related businesses and topics, from legends in the industry to rising stars. Start-up businesses will have a seat next to heavy hitters for equal representation in Belize’s tourism industry.

    Cassa Zenda – The newest Coppola Hideaway neighboring Belize
    Cassa Zenda is a private home turned rentable retreat – the newest resort to the Family Coppola Hideaways as of December 2019. As such, this second lodge in Guatemala (after La Lancha in the north, near Tikal) creates a circuit between their resort properties in Belize. Travel upriver through Guatemala’s serpentine Rio Dulce, surrounded by the rainforest for a dockside arrival on Lago de Izabal. Here, steep canyons frame the muddy riverbank, ushering you into a tranquil jungle escape dotted by thatched dwellings. In fact, the filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola’s nostalgia for the jungle was what led him to open his first hotel in Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge, in 1993.

    International Sourcesizz

    Archaeologists Discover New Mayan Settlement in Quintana Roo
    The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have confirmed the existence of a Pre-Hispanic settlement dating from the Mayan Post-Classic period between jungle and mangroves in southern Quintana Roo, Mexico, according to a recent article. The ancient settlement named by the specialists of the INAH Quintana Roo Center, as Mahahual, is reportedly the first of that era detected in the locality on the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula and believed to have been established in the late postclassical period between 1200 BC the first half of the 16th century.

    CRUISE NEWSMobile ICU Modules Proposed to Caribbean Cruise Ports
    As cruise lines begin putting into place new protocols that will allow them to welcome back passengers, one challenge they’re facing is how to handle health problems that arise onboard in the future. They, along with other industry players, are thinking outside the box for solutions. One proposed idea? Creating miniature ICU units in the various ports that will be visited.

    Videos

  • Special Sitting of the House of Representatives, 2hr34min.

  • Peter Lawrence on ReefTV, min.

  • QUEUE OUTSIDE SOCIAL SECURITY COROZAL, 70sec. Financial Assistance recipients stand in queue this morning along 7th Avenue, Corozal to pick up their debit cards from Social Security.

  • Dr. Figueroa has a little video explaining the reasons for the wildfires, and detailing how many there are all around the region...and there are 1000's, 4min.

  • Bitter & Sweet: The Fragile Art of Mayan Chocolate, 6min. Nestled inside the lush green forest off the coast of Belize, dozens of green and red cacao pods grow. Cacao has been cultivated here since 1800 BCE, when the Mayans first discovered they could turn these pods into a rich drink. Today, Mopan Maya chocolate maker Julio Saqui continues to make the fullest use of his country's native cacao trees and the fruits they produce. Now, though, unsustainable land development and the introduction of outside cultures threaten to extinguish the Mayan traditions he holds dear.

  • LPG Importers Companies to Appeal Decision of Supreme Court, 6min. Attorneys for Gas Tomza Ltd, Southern Choice Butane (dba -Zeta Gas) and Belize Western Energy Ltd have filed a Notice of Appeal against the recent decision of Acting Chief Justice Michelle Arana denying them an interim injunction in relation to their pending Constitutional case before the Court.

  • Happy Tapir Day. Celso Poot is the focus of today's Bringing the Zoo to You, 3.5min. Happy World and National Tapir Day! Today's "Bringing The Belize Zoo To You" feature is on the Belize Tapir Project, run by our very own Operation's Manager, Celso Poot. Check out the video below to learn what it's all about and stay tuned for more tapir related posts all week!

  • Public Health in Belize, 1min.

  • Working with Children in Belize, 1.5min.

  • Conservation volunteering in Belize, 1.5min.

  • Photo Stories Intro, 24min.

  • Snorkling with Sharks, Stingrays & Eels in Caye Caulker Belize, 2.5min. Go on a snorkeling trip with me to see the beautiful ocean near a small Caribbean island, Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. Caye Caulker is the best island in Belize in my opinion!

  • Xunantunich, Belize ~ El Castillo & Impressive Mayan City, 6.5min. My report on the Mayan City of Xunantunich in Belize. A modern name based on a legend when the place was discovered. One of the more impressive Mayan Pyramids and a tomb of a Snake King discovered in 2016. Not much on artifacts from here.

  • Garifuna young man teaching Dennis how to catch fish in Hopkins Belize, 2.5min.

  • The Beauty of Belize, 1.5min. A short cinematic look at our 5 days at the Coco Plum Island Resort in Belize.

  • Positive Message by the Rotary Club Of Belize, 3min. Positive Message by Rotary Club of Belize during Covid-19

  • FIRE FIGHTERS, AROUND THE BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN, 1min. ON THE ARENAL ROAD, CLEARING WIDE FIRE PASSES IN AN EFFORT TO CONTAIN THE VACA FALLS FOREST FIRES, FROM SPREADING FURTHER

    April 27, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Belize Celebrates World Malaria Day in the Midst of Response to COVID-19
    According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Malaria Report 2019, there were no global gains in reducing new infections over the period 2014 to 2018. In 2018, there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria in 89 countries. The estimated number of malaria deaths in 2018 stood at 405,000, a similar number to the previous year.

    Public Transportation Protocol for COVID-19
    Even though Belize is not in a heightened state of emergency, the public is still encouraged to plan ahead and consider travelling outside rush hours, where possible, in an effort to promote social distancing. As recommended by the World Health Organization, passengers must keep three to six feet apart from each other when standing in line. This can reduce the possibility of person-to-person transmission of the virus.

    San Pedro Baby2Baby Pantry steps in to help families with young babies
    Many groups on the island have come together to help the less fortunate during the current crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some organizations and individuals are manning weekly feeding programs, while others are supplying groceries. One particular group, however, has started something different, focusing on families with young babies in need of milk, pampers and other needs. The San Pedro Baby2Baby Pantry held their first distribution on Friday, April 24th, handing out 60 packages to pregnant women and families with newborn babies.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    ON AIR EDUCATION***RADIO & WEBSITE BROADCAST SCHEDULE
    Monday - Thursdays

    Thunderbolt will NOT resume service on Monday to Coroza
    We have had several inquiries about the water taxi to Corozal. Thunderbolt will NOT resume service on Monday to Corozal as they had announced earlier until further notice. Therefore, not to worry, no one from Corozal, where there are still active cases will be coming into San Pedro.

    Public Transportation Protocol for COVID-19
    The Department of Transport (DOT) continues to work closely with the Ministry of Health to address the challenge of COVID-19 to safeguard and protect the health of the public. Even though Belize is not in a heightened state of emergency, the public is still encouraged to plan ahead and consider travelling outside rush hours, where possible, in an effort to promote social distancing. As recommended by the World Health Organization, passengers must keep three to six feet apart from each other when standing in line. This can reduce the possibility of person-to-person transmission of the virus.

    COVID-19 Update
    Ministry of Health Sunday indicated that 6 people have recovered from COVID-19 infection. There are also NO new cases.

    Belmopan City Council Office Reopens
    The Belmopan City Council hereby informs the general public that our offices will reopen on Monday April 27th, 2020. Kindly note the following details: 1. All City Council Departments will be open from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 2. All offices will observe strict Social Distancing protocols and a facemask is required for entry onto the compound; in addition offices will be off bounds to children.

    'Youth Chat on Covid 19: Beyond the Horizion'
    The National Student Union of Belize hereby invites all students, young people and interested individuals, especially those within the formal and informal spaces of education equivalent to secondary and tertiary level institutions to join us for an online event called, 'Youth Chat on Covid 19: Beyond the Horizion.' It is a safe space designed to host a dialogue between youth on the sectors of education and the economy of Belize. The event, moderated by Student Affairs Director Dominique Noralez, is spread across two days. Day One is hosted on April 27th 2020 where the discussion on the economy will be heard and Day Two is on April 28th 2020 where the discussion on the education sector will be heard. Our distinguished panellists are:

    From the Commissioner of Police
    On Saturday April 25 ,2020, 59 persons were arrested and charged countrywide with offenses under the Emergency Powers Regulations. Also, one person was arrested and charged under SI no.59 Environmental Protection (Prohibition of the open burning of Refuse and other Combustible matter)

    FOLLOW UP ON THE FISH DONATION STORY
    At present, today Sunday April 26th marks the 8th day that Mr.Emilio "Zeas" Novelo went out to distribute fish to the community. 400 bags of fish were given out to residents beginning at Bahia Puesta Del Sol and ending off at Aventurera Street. Those who have not received from this donation, will be able to do so in the next two days. We thank Mr. Emilio for his consistent continuation of this kind deed.

    Belize Bus Owners Coop New Weekly Schedule
    Dear Commuters; Our Weekly schedule starting tomorrow Monday 27th April 2020: CYO-BZE. Return Bk from BZE to BVO: 5:15am reg - Silva’s 12:00Pm reg- Silva’s. BVO-BZE Return Bk from BZE to BVO: 9:30 am reg. 2:30 Pm reg. BZE - BVO. Return Bk from BVO to BZE: 10:30 am reg. 4:30pm reg. Our schedule run from Belize City to Corozal and Corozal to Belize City: BZE-COROZAL COROZAL-BZE: 9:30 am reg. 2:00 Pm Reg, 11:30 am Reg. 4:00 Pm Reg. For further information ,please contact us at 615-4712.

    Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen: Monday April 27, 2020
    Menu: Escabeche & Corn Tortillas (please bring containers) Pick Up Location: Bondi Bar & Bistro, Front Street Bahia: 11:45am-12:30pm Village:12:30pm-1:15pm Note: We realized it isn't always possible, but we are asking the community to help us adhere to current guidelines by only sending one person per family to the pick up location. Thank you for your continued cooperation. "It takes a village to feed a village"

    Diabetes Monitors in Corozal
    Message to members and customers with monitors carried by the Belize Diabetes Association BDA-Czl Branch. We have sent notices the past few days regarding free test strips. If you have not received or answered our calls and texts please contact us at 624-4476.

    MORE SMILES AND MORE FOOD ASSISTANCE FOR OUR COROZAL COMMUNITY
    The BELIZE INDIAN MERCHANT ASSOCIATION (#BIMA) distributed food baskets to those in need, supported ably by the COROZAL POLICE DEPARTMENT. This drive was to support the people economically affected by the COVID-19 lock down, and were given out to a lot of villagers in the Corozal District. Giving, opens up the door to receiving. There are so many opportunities to give every day.

    New BEL outdoor cashier booths
    Access convenient bill pay services at our new outdoor cashier booths

    Primary School Broadcast Schedule
    The primary school broadcast schedule is out. Classes start tomorrow, and they are organized by time slots.

    Virtual Music Festival
    San Harris will be performing on Saturday the 1st. The Virtual Concert has quite a lineup.

    The COVID Relief Drive "Giving our neighbours a helping hand" will be providing food and supplies to those at the Octavia Waight Centre
    Another successful weekend of packaging for distribution. We are happy to announce that 60 families will be getting a bag/box of groceries this week. In addition we will be donating flour, yeast, salt, Milo, cereal, oats and milk to The Octavia Waight Center.

    GoFundMe: Firefighting Equipment for Belize
    Environmental Protection and improvement of living conditions in Belize by supplying high quality firefighting equipment. BELIZE IS BURNING and does not have the funds to source Firefighting equipment! The World is talking about COVID-19 and the negative effects on the lungs, Belize hardly has clean air to breathe... Henrik Personn is organizing this fundraiser.

    Channel 5

    5 persons persons arrested at the Sandbar
    From the Belize Coast Guard: “Sunday afternoon is not a good time to go to recreate at the Sandbar! Coast Guard arrested 5 persons persons for violating the State of Emergency.”

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Westline makes tough decision to downsize almost 90% of staff due to COVID-19 lockdown
    Owner of the Westline Bus Company, Sergio Chuc, confirmed with Breaking Belize News tonight a […]

    Saluting Veterinarians worldwide
    In Belize and throughout the world, many pet owners have developed relationships with their pets […]

    Coast Guard detains 5 persons at Sandbar
    Today, the Belize Coast Guard issued a statement informing the public that they detained 5 […]

    Reporters Without Borders finds ‘obstacles to the right to inform’ in Belize
    Belize remains ranked 53rd of 180 nations in the annual World Press Freedom Index 2020, […]

    Over 20 people arrested for going to river, defying SI orders
    Earlier today Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, made a splash online announcing via his Facebook […]

    1 more person recovered from COVID-19, leaving 10 Belizeans with the virus
    The news continues to be encouraging concerning the presence of COVID-19 cases in Belize. As […]

    Belize Audubon Society urges public to cease burning
    The Belize Audubon Society (BAS) issued a statement urging the public to avoid burning. BAS […]

    Chamber of Commerce working on its own economic reform plan
    Belize’s leading private sector organization, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), says it […]

    New guidelines released for public transportation, commuters cautioned
    The Department of Transport (DOT) announced today a series of guidelines to be adhered to […]

    BBB: ‘Leadership need to be committed to the productive sector and be private-sector driven’
    Belize does not have to accept an inevitable economic collapse, the Belize Business Bureau says […]

    Belize Business Bureau’s economic recovery plan proposes rebalancing of energy and utility industries
    rlr th wk w rrtd n th lz un uru’ ntrvntn t t nm rvr […]

    Belize Red Cross distributes food supplies to families; thanks Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 relief fund
    The Belize Red Cross has distributed food supplies to many needy families in Belize. Last week, the Red Cross received a donation […]

    More State of Emergency arrests, one for illegal burning of garbage
    The Belize Police Department arrested 59 people yesterday for violating the regulations under the current State of Emergency(SOE) […]

    Combined COVID-19 cases in CARICOM countries less than 1,000, recoveries rising
    Figures presented by the CARICOM Secretariat show that infections among member states stood at 974 as of April 24 […]

    Blogs

    Belize: A Safe Haven
    Belize has always been a haven for those fleeing any type of adversity; a welcoming place of refuge and safety. Besides the Colonials who came to seek fortunes with our natural resources, many have sought sanctuary in Belize for a chance at a better life. We are a democratic English-speaking country and, unlike our Central American neighbors, have not experienced political violence in recent years. Belize has been a safe haven before, but what about now? Our collective action can ensure a secure future.

    Is Belize Expensive?
    Belize is a tropical getaway that lures thousands of travelers from across the globe every year. This has become such a phenomenon that some has questioned the expense of traveling to Belize. Fortunately, Belize is an affordable vacation spot and its prices are quite manageable for most travelers. If you are curious about the ways you can save some cash on a Belizean vacation, just look over this list of tips.

    The best bargain hotels in Belize
    For some time now I’ve been meaning to write about my picks for some of the best bargain hotels in Belize. A list of top-ranked, relatively cheap hotels in Belize that are conveniently located and provide standard hotel amenities. Places that are great for travelers that want to experience an amazing Belize vacation on a tight budget. The list of hotels mentioned below allow travelers to visit some of Belize’s top destinations without having to break the bank.

    International Sourcesizz

    In 24 hours, 52 new cases and 17 deaths in Quintana Roo from COVID-19
    The municipality of Benito Juarez, -Cancun- Mexico’s main leading destination, in one day, reported 44 new infected people and 15 deaths. Given this situation, the government of Quintana Roo announced that elements of the National Guard, Armed Forces, and state police would intensify patrols to keep people at home and reduce mobility. According to the daily special communiqué issued by the health sector, as of noon today, 611 negative cases have been registered under study, 426 positive cases, 55 deaths, and 119 people have recovered from the illness. There are 147 in social isolation, 105 hospitalized and 55 deaths, while 143 women and 283 men tested positive for Covid-19.

    Live wildlife medicine courses
    Starting next Tuesday, we'll be offering live wildlife medicine courses in our Wildlife Care Academy line-up. Sign-up for one or all of these courses, plus other on-demand wildlife rehabilitation courses, through our Academy website!

    Videos

  • COMMUNITY-ORIENTED FISHERMAN OF CAYE CAULKER DONATES FISH TO THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19, 2min.

  • Belize Electricity Limited brings you an Interactive Sunday School, 24min. BEL brings the final in a four-part interactive Sunday School program for children countrywide in collaboration with Love FM and the Anglican Diocese of Belize.

  • BELIZEAN/CHINESE GROCERS OF COROZAL TOWN STEP UP AND JOINING OUR FOOD ASSISTANCE INITIATIVES, 5.5min.

  • Sandy Bradshaw and Shanya Garnett performed online Saturday night, 93min.

  • The changing relationship between humans and the environment in Belize, 4.5min. From UNC Global Storytelling - Barriers

  • Distribution of food hampers in Ramadhan to a neglected area in Belize, 2min. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Belize distributes pantry bags to one of the most neglected areas in Belize City

  • Viaggio in BELIZE: Caye Caulker, la Isla Bonita, San Pedro e il sito di Lamanai, 14min. Con un piede radicato nella giungla centroamericana e con l'altro immerso nel mar dei Caraibi, il Belize coniuga il meglio di queste due realtà.

  • Scuba Diving Silk Caye, 4.5min. Until we actually relocate to Placencia Belize, we spend as much time visiting as possible and were lucky enough to spend Hilary's 40th birthday there with friends.

  • Volunteers tackle Forest fire in Belize, 4min. I am a volunteer fireman in Belize and during this difficult time with people on lock down, there is a forest fire currently in Belize.

  • Accidental Fire in Belize? Burn ban & drought going on, 13min. Fire path (burn break) - see the damage and how a few volunteers are making a difference. The devistation is heartbreaking, but nature will recover if we can stop its spread.

  • BELIZE 2020!, 7min. Highlights from my trip to Belize in Feb 2020, before the quarantine. This trip was amazing, SCUBA diving, tropical islands, snorkeling, fishing, homeless guys climbing coconut trees, all kinds of sea life, Mayan ruins, diving in the interior Blue Hole, jungle hikes, caves, jumping off waterfalls this trip had it all as we AirBnb-ed it across beautiful Belize.

  • Sunday Mass - April 26, 2020, 62min.

    April 26, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Four persons caught with undersized out of season conch and lobster
    Four persons were detained after they were caught with undersized out of season conch and lobster by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. According to information reaching our newsroom, the perpetrators were spotted by Hol Chan Rangers on patrol. Their Quick Response Team, which involves members of the San Pedro Police Formation and the Belize Coast Guard quickly moved in to make the apprehensions.

    British Army Training Support Unit Continues to Assist the Ministry of National Security during COVID-19 Pandemic
    This support includes the provision of BATSUB’s barracks accommodation, laundry services, and exclusive access to their recreational area. Security forces personnel are also able to purchase groceries from the San Cas Store at Price Barracks. Additionally, a donation of 1,000 packs of 24-hour rations was handed over for distribution to the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard.

    Belize Observes World Intellectual Property Day 2020
    April 26th of each year marks the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day. In 2000, the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) designated an annual World Intellectual Property Day to address the perceived gap between intellectual property (IP) as a business/legal concept and its relevance to people’s lives. The convention establishing WIPO was first entered into force on this date in 1970.

    Ambergris Today

    San Pedro Polyclinic Postpones Vaccination Schedule
    Being in the state of emergency, the Ministry of Health has adviced them to further discuss and strategize how they will administer the vaccines in a method that will not put the mothers, babies and nurses in harm's way.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    SI No 62 of 2020 Belize Constitution Emergency Powers Regulations 2020
    Effective today, April 26th, Statutory Instrument No. 62 of 2020, the Belize Constitution (Emergency Powers) Regulations, 2020, will come into force.

    Government’s Response to Wildfire Situation
    The public is hereby advised on the situation with wildfires across the country and updated on the work being done by the Government of Belize. The Forest Department, the Department of the Environment (DOE) and other agencies including the Fire Department, the Belmopan City Council, the San Ignacio Town Council, and ranger volunteers such as the Southern Wildfire Group, continue to collaborate to actively address the ongoing fires.

    NFS Response to Bush Fires
    The National Fire Service (NFS) has been in constant motion trying to address as many bush fires as possible, but it is important to remind the public that they are the first line of defense in the protection of their property from fires. Here are some tips they can do to help. Do not light fires in your yard, especially in these extremely dry conditions. Cut a 'fire pass' (6ft) around your yard. This will reduce the chances of a fire getting out of hand and reaching your home. Have your hose ready. If a fire is getting close, aim for the base of the fire and start spraying the area with water.

    Belize Celebrates World Malaria Day in the Midst of Response to COVID-19
    World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th. This year’s theme, “Zero malaria starts with me”, is a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize additional resources, and empower communities to take ownership of malaria prevention and care. According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Malaria Report 2019, there were no global gains in reducing new infections over the period 2014 to 2018.

    COVID-19 Update
    This is our data up until today. As we go into the weekend actively searching for further contacts, we must continue to emphasize the elements of social distancing. While there is no further lockdown on Sundays (for now at least), please, if you don’t have anything to do on the streets - please stay home!

    Thunderbolt to resume routes by reservation
    We will be resuming our regular run on 27th April by reservations only. You can do so via inbox or at 6288590. Corozal to San Pedro 7am, San Pedro to Corozal 3pm, With stops in Sarteneja by reservation only. Please present your valid ID at check-in. Please be reminded that all passengers must have a valid reason to travel and wear face masks and practice social distancing while waiting before boarding. For any other questions or concerns feel free to reach out.

    RCD Barge Service
    See below our run for this coming week. We will be accepting cargo at the Port of Belize on Wednesday up until 2pm and again on Thursday up until 2pm. We then depart for Caye Caulker to do deliveries on Friday. Kindly have all chilled items delivered on Thursday only. Any further questions, please feel free to message us or call the office at 206-0083. RCD hardware will also be open for Deliveries ONLy as of Monday, April 27th. Call 206-0083 and place your orders!!! For Caye Caulker, it’s once a week for general cargo with two days loading at the port. Once business starts to resume to a normal mode and the demand increases, then we will also increase the quantity of trips per week. We use to run every week day, Monday - Friday from BC deliveries on Tuesday - Saturday in CC.

    Belize Zoo Emergency Closure Update
    Due to the outbreak of the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center (TBZTEC) made the hard decision of temporarily closing our gates on March 23rd in the interest of public safety, and the safety of our staff and animals. We have now endured 5 weeks of full closure, with a lack of normal income, among the other socio-economic constraints as a result of the State of Emergency declared throughout Belize earlier this month. Despite the unprecedented challenges, our dedicated team of zookeepers, managers, and security staff continue working to ensure our beloved animals receive the best care and nutrition on a daily basis.

    San Antonio Free Soup Project
    The San Antonio Free Soup project gave out over 100 containers of soup. Thank you! Their gofundme page.

    Daily Visitors to Roni's Pond
    During the last 2 weeks in April, every year, my bird pond overflows with thirsty visitors. We made this small pond several years ago, and I cant think of how many birds it has saved over the years. The daily max temperature here has been 104*F. Here are some daily visitors.

    HUNAB KU
    Hunab Ku is a Colonial period Yucatec Maya reduce term meaning "The One God" or "One Deity" . The earliest known publicly available written reference to the term "Hunab Ku" (which translates as "Sole God" or "Only God") appears in the 16th century Diccionario de Motul, where "Hunab-ku" is identified as "the only living and true god, also the greatest of the gods of the people of Yucatan. He had no form because they said that he could not be represented as he was incorporeal". The term also appears in the Book of Chilam Balam of Chumayel.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Fires are now mostly forest fires; Government may declare Vaca Forest fire as an emergency
    The Government informed today that as the temperatures again approached 107 degrees Fahrenheit, new fires […]

    Over 100 fires per week with temperatures above 100 degrees – Forestry and Environment Departments share details
    Over the Easter weekend, very high daytime temperatures were recorded which along with the long […]

    Vaca forest fire has potential to release enormous smoke on Cayo- Government to dispatch firefighting crew tomorrow
    The Government of Belize has informed that tomorrow, the Forest Department firefighting crew will enter […]

    National Student Union of Belize elects new executive
    The National Students’ Union of Belize elected a new executive council on April 19th. Kevin […]

    Belmopan Chinese community donates food items to Belmopan and surrounding communities
    Today, the Belmopan Chinese community joined forces and donated food supplies to Belmopan and surrounding […]

    National Fire service advises against lighting of fires
    The National Fire Service (NFS) says that it has been in constant motion trying to […]

    Belize celebrates World Malaria Day in the midst of response to COVID-19
    World Malaria Day is observed every year on April 25th. This year’s theme, “Zero malaria […]

    Volunteers assist in effort to mitigate fires in Vaca Forest
    Earlier today, BBN reported on continuing fires in the Vaca Forest. In a statement issued […]

    Victim in road traffic accident was well known and loved in Yo Creek
    Just before 8 o’clock last night a man died in a road traffic accident. He […]

    Muslims in Belize to fast for one month of Ramadan
    Muslims in Belize and across the world are celebrating Ramadan, which commenced on Thursday and […]

    Banks must step up: Mayor Wagner
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    Cities’ COVID-19 revenue hurt
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    The Belize Zoo remains closed; wildlife conservation and education continues
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    Cristo Rey volunteers join efforts to mitigate fires
    Volunteers from Cristo Rey Village have worked diligently in an effort to mitigate the fires affecting surrounding communities...

    San Ignacio teen missing
    The family of Brian Robinson, 18, of San Ignacio is concerned about his whereabouts. According to his relatives...

    Belize City Animal Aid distributes over 800 pounds of food to animal owners
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    Online Resources for a Quality Education at Home
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    More fires reported in Vaca Forest
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    Blogs

    Update from Ambergris Caye Belize, Quarantine Day 34
    A month has passed since we entered quarantine on March 23rd – and as I BEMOANED in the last post – uncertainty is the new normal. On an international level – when will airlines start flying internationally again? When will people feel safe to fly? On a local level, we have been very fortunate, at least where the virus is concerned. The economic situation is on everyone’s mind.

    15 Creole Phrases To Learn Before Visiting Belize
    The Creole are one of the many ethnic groups that make up Belize’s cultural diversity. As such, most Belizeans speak English and Creole, or “Kriol”, as a part of our Belizean identity. Before you visit, have some fun with learning a few phrases of Creole to feel right at home.

    CC+L’s Top 9 Budget-Friendly Things In Belize
    Many people may think they can’t enjoy a great Belize vacation without big bucks. In Belize, you can find plenty adventures that are either free or won’t break the bank! Find our top nine recommendations to see Belize on a budget below.

    International Sourcesizz

    Isolation postcards from around the world
    Chelsea Young, 12, Belmopan, Belize: An adventurer at heart, Chelsea loves exploring the rich biodiversity of Hopkins, a seaside village in Belize and one of her most favourite places to visit. But, because of covid19, she is unable to do it. But while she may not be able to explore outdoors, she is busy having adventures at home and discovering new favourite places.

    Videos

  • Dolphin Pod in Corozal Bay, 3min. Earlier today, I saw a Dolphin Pod swimming along the water on Corozal Bay. Most pods can contain anywhere from 2 – 30 dolphins depending on the species and the situation, however, there are occasions where pods may grow even larger in size reaching 100 or more dolphins. In some instances, numerous dolphin pods may gather together for an activity or event which can further increase the overall pod up to several thousand dolphins. Both the size of a single pod and group can vary greatly based on the dolphin's species, population size, endangered status, habitat, and social structure.

  • Super Furia Band Live, 98min. The Super Furia Band had a virtual concert this evening

  • POD OF BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS SIGHTED ON OUR COROZAL BAY LESS THAN 100' FROM OUR SEAWALL, 2min. Bottlenose dolphins are very social animals. We have lived along the Corozal Bay for 14 years and have never seen a pod so large just 200 feet from our front yard. AWESOME!!!

  • Belize: History of Mennonites, 3.5min.

  • How the Maya weave hammocks, 7.5min.

  • WACPtv Belize: on COVID-19 LOCKDOWN Ep5.0, 31min. This Episode is about Healing the mind and body to combat disease. Meet a natural healing Bush Doctor and one of his patients who was dying from cancer.

  • Belize On Fire · Santinos Messengers Band, 5min.

  • Belize 2020, 8.5min.

  • WHAT TO DO in BELIZE? -TOP THINGS TO DO in BELIZE, 5.5min. With its picturesque beaches, ancient Maya ruins, incredible wildlife and action-packed excursions, this truly is an adventure like no other! Explore this beautiful country called Belize.

  • Belize Municipak Airport: Landing in Belize on the smallest runway ever, 1min.

  • Virtual Meeting on Financial and Technical Support Needs for the Tourism Industry, 7min. Positive action for Caye Caulker!

  • The Savannah of San Pablo was on fire, 6min. We want to congratulate the San Pablo village council and the Cawich family for extinguishing the fire.

    April 25, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Closure of COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Program Online Portal
    The Economic Oversight Team informs the public that the online portal for the Unemployment Relief Program has been closed to new applications. The portal opened to receive applications on April 3, 2020 and up to the time of closure at 4:00 p.m. today, April 24th, a total of 81,007 applications were received.

    Ministry of Health Requests Public Support
    The Ministry of Health advises the public that due to the recent and ongoing bush and backyard fires set by some individuals, many persons have reported side effects such as irritated eyes, prolonged coughing spells, and worsening of existing breathing problems.

    Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) Injured at Shipstern Lagoon
    On April 10, 2020, an Antillean manatee that was recently released into its natural habitat by Wildtracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja Village, Corozal was found with a spear injury to its head. It is believed that the manatee was injured anytime between April 9th to 10th.

    BEL Intensifies Countrywide System Maintenance Program to Combat Impacts of Extended Drought
    The extended drought and seasonal dry weather conditions have been causing excessive dust build-up on BEL’s power lines across the country, resulting in numerous electrical faults and sudden disruptions of electricity service to our customers. Frequent outages have also been occurring in various parts of the country due to bush fires which damage the base of the pole structures of our transmission and distribution lines.

    U.S. Government to Donate Equipment to Ministry of National Security to Assist Counternarcotic Efforts
    On April 23, the United States Government donated over $400,000 USD worth of communications equipment and Boston Whaler sustainment parts to the Belize Ministry of National Security. The donation is part of the U.S. Southern Command’s continued partnership with Belize and was funded by the U.S. counternarcotics program.

    Ambergris Today

    Gasoline Price In Belize To Drop Almost Three Dollars
    The Ministry of Finance has announced that on Saturday, April 25, 2020 the pump price for regular gasoline will decrease by $2.97 from $10.23 to $7.26 per gallon. The prices for premium gasoline, kerosene, and diesel will remain unchanged at $10.92, $5.43, and $8.25 per gallon, respectively.

    Belize Unemployment Relief Program Closed To New Applications
    The Economic Oversight Team informs the public that the online portal for the Unemployment Relief Program has been closed to new applications. The portal opened to receive applications on April 3, 2020 and up to the time of closure at 4:00 p.m. today, April 24th, a total of 81,007 applications were received.

    BEL Battling Effects Of Extreme Weather Conditions On Power System
    Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) teams continue to manage the effects of extended drought and seasonal dry weather conditions on our electric infrastructure, which have resulted in an increase of dust, smoke and soot contamination on power line equipment. Over the past few days, there has been an increase in pole fires due to excessive contaminants on insulators that cause them to fail, and bush fires that damage poles.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    British Army Training Support Unit Continues to Assist the Ministry of National Security during COVID-19 Pandemic
    The Government of the United Kingdom, through the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB), has pledged its continued support to the security forces of Belize. This support includes the provision of BATSUB’s barracks accommodation, laundry services, and exclusive access to their recreational area. Security forces personnel are also able to purchase groceries from the San Cas Store at Price Barracks. Additionally, a donation of 1,000 packs of 24-hour rations was handed over for distribution to the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard.

    Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) Injured at Shipstern Lagoon
    On April 10, 2020, an Antillean manatee that was recently released into its natural habitat by Wildtracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja Village, Corozal was found with a spear injury to its head. It is believed that the manatee was injured anytime between April 9th to 10th. The injured manatee is an eight-foot sub-adult female named Khaleesi and lives in the northern end of the Shipstern Lagoon. An examination of the spear injury shows that it was caused by a spear commonly used by local fishers. The injured manatee is currently undergoing treatment and is recovering at the Wildtracks Rehabilitation Center.

    Ministry of Immigration – Public Notice
    The Ministry of Immigration hereby informs the public of the relocation of its Belize City offices. The Ministry will be relocating from the ground floor of the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building on Mahogany Street Extension to its new location, the H.D. Thompson Building on 1 ½ Miles Phillip Goldson Highway. As the Ministry continues to serve its valued customers, everyone who visits offices countrywide is asked to wear a face mask and to continue practicing social distancing and all other safety precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Fires in Vaca Forest Reserve
    These are the fires within the protected areas of Vaca Forest Reserve, Caracol Archaeological Reserve and Chiquibul National Park. These human induced threats undermine conservation efforts in the western Maya Mountains, affecting thousands of Belizeans and a country at large.


    Yesterday the C.C.V.C held a meeting with all three soup kitchens namely Il Pelicano, The Volunteers of Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen and Hand of Love. In the meeting it was clearly stated that all three kitchens will continue to serve meals as long as they possible can and one master list will be created to ensure that if a person is getting one meal from a kitchen that person will not be allowed to get at another kitchen. The purpose of this list is to ensure that help is being extended to everyone in need and that distribution is done in the most fair manner. If you would like to sign up for a meal, please contact the Facebook page of Hands of Love or The Volunteers of Caye Caulker Facebook page. The Caye Caulker Village Council express gratitude to all soup kitchens for providing meals to many families.

    Caye Caulker Baby Pantry
    Employment is derived 95% from tourist based activities. Many of our young parents are now unemployed. My sister and I, both who have young babies , have taken upon ourselves to help all mothers on our island in our situation. Best estimated time frame for things to return to normal is about 6 months. We hope to help until this is over. We need your help immediately! Anything and everything is appreciated. Pamela Lang is organizing this fundraiser.

    Santander Sugar Group Donates Sugar to Ambergris Caye
    Mayor Daniel Guerrero and The San Pedro Town Council wishes to thank The Santander Sugar Group, Belize from the Cayo District for their generous donation of 1200 pounds of sugar. The donation will help the community’s COVID 19 relief response on Ambergris Caye. On behalf of the people of San Pedro, we say thank you!

    New Schedule for the watering of unpaved streets in the different areas of Corozal Town
    Courtesy: Corozal Town Council. The Corozal Town Council thanks you for your patience and support. We urge citizens to stay safe and continue adhering to the preventative measures set in place.

    Life Skills Online Program
    The Cornerstone Foundation and Youth Rise have teamed up to bring a free online Life Skills program to youths between 14 and 24. It will start on Monday, May 4th. Contact them at 603-5280 for more information.

    Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation Addresses False Calls to Applicants of the Food Assistance Program
    The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation has been reliably informed of instances where members of the public are being falsely called by persons claiming to represent the Ministry and informed that they have been approved for food assistance before directing them to a nearby store. These reports, if true, not only hinder processing of potential beneficiaries by creating confusion among applicants and store owners, but, more seriously, represent a cruel lack of compassion for Belizeans who are most in need during this time. The Ministry strongly discourages any such behaviour, and to mitigate these types of malicious acts, the public is advised of the following:

    Relaxing the SOE measures
    For those of you confused about what "relaxing the SOE measures" really means: We are back to where we were two weeks ago. That's all. There is still a curfew from 8PM-5AM. You can not be out of your house for any reason. You can be out of your house to exercise (run, walk, or jog) from 5AM-8AM. Food shops, restaurants (take-out only) and gas stations will be open on Sundays. You will be allowed to leave your home during non-curfew hours on Sundays to get food or fuel. You will also be allowed to leave your home on Sundays to get money from ATMs.

    PUEBLO NUEVO & LAGUNA SECA FERRIES EXTENDED HOURS
    Commencing Monday, April 27th, both ferries will be open to the general public from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please adhere to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health for social distancing.

    CLOSURE OF COVID19 UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF PROGRAM ONLINE PORTAL AS $3,460,300.00 DISBURSED TO DATE
    The Economic Oversight Team informs the public that the online portal for the Unemployment Relief Program has been closed to new applications. The portal opened to receive applications on April 3, 2020 and up to the time of closure at 4:00 p.m. today, April 24th, a total of 81,007 applications were received. Of this number, a total of 35,371 applications have been approved and 34,425 have been sent to the Social Security Board for payment to applicants.

    MINISTRY OF HEALTH REQUESTS PUBLIC SUPPORT ON RECENT BACKYARD FIRES
    The Ministry of Health advises the public that due to the recent and ongoing bush and backyard fires set by some individuals, many persons have reported side effects such as irritated eyes, prolonged coughing spells, and worsening of existing breathing problems. The Ministry reminds the public that the creation of smoke nuisance is illegal under the Public Health Act and can lead to further prosecution. This is in addition to the new regulations cited as Environment Protection Regulations via Statutory Instrument No. 59 of 2020 which calls on the prohibition of burning of bush, milpa, agricultural fields, pasture, grass, or any type of vegetation during the state of emergency, including the open burning of household and yard waste.

    81 FIRES / HOTSPOTS DETECTED DURING THE MOST RECENTLY PROCESSED SATELLITE OVERPASS*** April 24, 2020
    Source: NASA FIRMS: Fire Email Alert

    Caribbean Community Member States approaching a combined total of 1000 confirmed COVID-19 cases
    Recoveries are almost 250, while COVID-19 related deaths have been kept to just above 50. Keep track of the regional figures: https://today.caricom.org/covid19/regional/

    MINISTRY OF LABOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS VERSION II RE: COVID-19 LABOUR/EMPLOYMENT SITUATIONS

    Change in the Pump Price of Fuel Effective April 25, 2020
    The Ministry of Finance announces that on Saturday, April 25, 2020 the pump price for regular gasoline will decrease by $2.97 from $10.23 to $7.26 per gallon. The prices for premium gasoline, kerosene, and diesel will remain unchanged at $10.92, $5.43, and $8.25 per gallon, respectively. The price change reflects current demand and supply conditions of crude oil in the international petroleum market and fluctuations in the acquisition price of refined fuel products in the countries from which Belize obtains its supplies.

    Paint N Splash
    Our kids special for this weeks paint kit is this cute Uni Llama! Created by our very own Alexis Torres! Order your kit! $10 kit 9"×9" and $15 kit 12"x12" private message us for orders! Also we can customize colors for boys too!

    Friday Night Jam / Fund Raiser for Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen
    Hosted by Caribbean Fusion Brewing Company. Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7 PM – 10 PM, Streaming LIVE from Caribbean Fusion Brewing Company every Friday until the New Normal. We present Friday Night Jam Session. ALL proceeds donated directly to Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen’s GoFundMe account. This will be a virtual concert (on Facebook). you can listen in the comfort of your own home!

    Run Covid19 Outta Belize Virtual 10K
    May 1 at 12 AM – May 3 at 11:59 PM, Hosted by Total Time

    STATE OF EMERGENCY RULE BEGINNING THIS SUNDAY TO THURSDAY
    Same rules as all other 6 days will apply this Sunday; - Curfew for children remain in place; - 8:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew remains place; - 5: 00 am to 7:59 pm, moving with essential purposes only — (a) purchasing essential needs; (b) attending for medical or veterinary attention; (c) emergencies;...

    MOE Broadcasting Educational Programs
    SCRS 103.1 FM Along with the Ministry Of Education will be Broadcasting the Educational Programs for Preschool and Primary levels from Monday to thursday on the following time, Starting Monday April 27. 2020 GROUP E - Preschool and Infant I and II 9:30 am - 10:15 am GROUP A - Standard 1 and Standard 2, 10:30 am - 11:15 am GROUP B - Standard 3 and Standard 4, 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm GROUP C - Standard 5 and Standard 6, 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm Keeping Learning from Home, Keep in tune to 103.1 Education is the Key to Success

    An 4.4 Magnitude Earthquake Was Detected on the OFFSHORE of HONDURAS
    Date And Time Mexico (UTC-5): 04-24-2020 17:01:44 UTC Date And Time: 04-24-2020 22:01:44 Region: OFFSHORE HONDURAS Depth: 10 Km Magnitude: 4.4 mb Latitude: 16.7 Longitude: -86.28

    Fire on Caye Caulker
    This morning at around 7:45, the home of Mr . Raymond Myers was engulfed in flames as the neighboring civilians worked to combat the fire before the Fire Department arrived. The flames did significant damage to his home. At present, Mr. Myers is in need of a few essentials, both food and materials to reconstruct his home. Non perishable food or Hot meals will be prudent.

    Childhood Immunization Schedule postponed
    After close consultation with Central Health Region, Ministry of health we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone the Vaccinations Scheduled. Being in the state of emergency, the Ministry of Health has advices us to further discuss and strategize how we will administer the vaccines in a method that will not put the mothers, babies and nurses in harm's way.

    A man was knocked down and killed earlier tonight
    It happened in Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk District. The deceased was on a bicycle when he was hit by a vehicle.

    Agrilinks Belize Website
    There's a new website for ordering Belizean produce. Currently, it's bulk orders only. Farmers can sign up to sell on the site. "Inviting all Farmers/ Agro-processors to register now, have your produce listed, and start selling online. Click the link below to register today!

    Cristo Rey Fire Crew
    Our first mission was completed today. A 22 member crew left the village before six this morning, sleepless after a half night with out electricity. Nevertheless, they were determined to fight this fire that has been causing a lot of damage in the village. With machetes, blowers, water pumps, rakes and water in hand, we went across the river currents and after an hour walk we encountered our foe. Splitting in three groups work started immediately and before 10 am fire was under control.

    Channel 7

    SOE, Relaxing The Rules
    The extra strict rules for the National State of Emergency are being relaxed - just a little - starting on Sunday. This is after no new cases of COVID 19 have been detected in Belize for 10 days - and there are only 11 active cases of COVID in Belize tonight, and no one is hospitalized. The new, temporary measures mark the end of a two week period when extra strict measures were activated to contain what was believed to be community spread of COVID 19 in the Belize and Cayo Districts.

    Curfew Continues
    But, not all that regular because the national state of emergency and the national curfew will still be in effect, and that includes children. Peyrefitte stressed that after Sunday, children still cannot be on the street after 4:00, and adults still cannot be out after 8:00: "If you are a child below the age of 16, you could only be on the streets between 8am and 4pm..."

    Buses, Boats & Planes
    But, you won't go to jail if you're an essential service provider or employee travelling inter - district. That's right, one feature of regular life that's returning on Sunday is public transport. Buses, water taxi's and domestic flights will be able to move - provided everyone on board is on a specific essential mission, and wears a mask. "Public transportation providers will now be allowed to operate again. When I say public transportation providers I am talking about busses, water taxis, the planes like Maya or Tropic, they can now move..."

    Travel Inter-District If...
    But, as you heard, the opening of bus and water taxi service is only for essential travel - no local tourism, or recreational travel. "If you live in the Cayo District and you are going to Belize and the police stop you in Hattieville, you have to demonstrate to that officer that you are going to Belize District because you are either purchasing essential needs..."

    Keeping Casinos and Salons Closed
    And one thing you won't be travelling inter district for is to go that that special barber, or hair salon, or even your favourite casino. All those remain closed for the time being:

    Food, To Go Only
    And while Casino's are closed, restaurants can open - and not just for delivery. Food can be picked up - just not consumed on the premises. Here's the position on that:

    The Taco Clause
    But that doesn't include one staple of the Belizean diet - which is tacos. Taco stands still cannot open, unless it's Tacos to go, sold from a home or business, not a street stand:

    Limited Openings For GOB Offices
    And while you might be able to get a few tacos out the backdoor, you won't be able to get any lands documents! That's because while government offices will be opening opening on Sunday - it's only a few select offices having to do with essential services:

    Moving With A Purpose
    So unless you're going to one of those government offices, or going about your personal business with a specific intent, there are not many reasons to be outside. The limitation on public movement remains in effect after Sunday - and the rule is, basically, if you're out of your house, it has to be with good reason:

    From 3 Feet to 6 Feet
    And as you heard earlier, one of the reasons you can be outside is to exercise. But the requirement now iOS not for three feet, but for six feet of social stance at all times:

    New Month, New Rules
    So, we stress, all these new wrinkles in the State of Emergency rules come into effect on Sunday. But, these are just interim measures for 5 days: they will be followed next week Friday, May first, by a new set of measures, which may start to open up the economy and social living a little more. These will be introduced next week after another round of COVID testing is done. Peyrefitte explained:

    Pump Price Plummets
    We've been reporting it for over a weeks and finally we can confirm tonight that the new, sharply reduced price for regular fuel goes into effect at midnight. The current price of $10.23 per gallon is going down by almost three dollars to $7.26 per gallon. The two dollars 97 cent decrease is probably the single largest price drop on record, and it comes as world oil prices briefly went into negative figures this week.

    Drowning In Sand Pit
    The body of a 22-year-old man from Hattieville was found submerged in a pool this morning. He's been identified as Nigel Welch, and although it appears at this time that he drowned, his family is convinced that someone killed him. We understand that at around 11:20 this morning, Hattieville Police received a call for help at Malic Sand Pit, which is right across Hattieville Boom Road from the Belize Central Prison.

    M4 Found in Family Home
    Tonight a Belize City family of 3 is at the Belize Central Prison after police allegedly busted them with a high-powered assault rifle. Reports to 7News are that at around 2:00 yesterday afternoon, several teams of police officers conducted a search at the home of 48-year-old Lavorn Hemmans, which is located on Violet Lane in Belize City. She and her daughter 19-year-old Taemar Hemmans, were at home when police found this Black, Colt M4 Commando Assault Rifle, known as a "Carbine". The weapon had no serial number on it and was loaded with a magazine containing 18 live rounds of .223 ammunition.

    74 Year Old Pedophile Caught in Sting
    A disturbing case of child abuse has been reported in the Chula Vista area of Corozal Town. It was documented by a team of investigators including CIB, and social worker during a stakeout operation yesterday. Just after midday, the team saw a 74-year-old man in the act of molesting a 7-year-old girl under a Soursop tree.

    Booths On The Ground
    For a couple weeks now, we've been covering the construction and installation of COVID-19 Testing booths. The South Korean inspired booths have caught on and can now be found at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, Cleopatra White Clinic in Belize City, and the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga. And this morning the KHMH, which is the National referral hospital, and the only one equipped with a COVID-19 Isolation ward, joined the fold by receiving its first testing booth. It's a donation from Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner.

    KHMH Covid Concerns?
    And with their new testing booth installed, staff at the KHMH should be a bit more at ease. But it begs the question, what has their bedside manner been like for suspected COVID cases? You may remember the allegations made by Maria-Estella Recinos, wife of Patient #4 Hubert Pipersburgh, Recinos who claimed that staff at the Western Regional Hospital delayed her husband's treatment and pretty much left them to fend for themselves in isolation.

    Frontliners Free
    How relevant is the Hippocratic oath during a Pandemic? Some may say more than ever, others may disagree. Medical professionals face particular risk, both to them and their families when treating patients who have contracted a highly contagious virus. And two weeks ago when staff in the KHMH's ICU were exposed to patient #10 they found themselves facing a mandatory quarantine. Today at the installation of the Hospital's testing booth we asked CEO Michelle Hoare how many exposed staff members have returned to work?

    Using Union's Input
    And what about the KHMH's worker's union? They had kicked up a fuss from the outside of the the COVID alert, by threatening industrial action if the COVID-19 Isolation Ward remained within the KHMH. Exposure was one of their primary fears. But they were dissuaded from that industrial action after urgings by the Leader of the Opposition and meetings with the Prime Minister. Today we asked CEO Hoare how much say the union has had in overall pandemic management planning.

    PPE's Under Lock and Key
    In recent weeks one constant union complaint has been the rationing of PPE's, and the concern that limited availability this vital armour put front-line workers at unnecessary risk. But there's a reason the stuff is under lock and key: Last week, even the Prime Minister mentioned the disappearance and theft of PPE's from medical facilities nationwide. We wondered whether that had been the case at the KHMH. The CEO addressed that concern earlier today.

    Courts Cares For In a Time Of COVID
    Recently, we've been telling you about how the business community and the Government have been engaging in programs to provide relief to the thousands of Belizeans who lost their jobs when the coronavirus gripped the world. There is a lot of need, and not enough aid to help, and so, different organizations have been taking the initiative to provide whatever help they can. That's just what Unicomer, the company associated with Courts Belize and Tropigas, did today when they made a ten-thousand-dollar donation to the Belize Red Cross.

    Khaleesi Got Speared
    There's sad news about Belize's critically endangered Antillean Manatee. The Fisheries Department reports that an Antillean manatee, which was recently released into its natural habitat by Wildtracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja, Corozal, was found with a spear injury to the head. It is believed that the endangered animal was injured sometime between April 9th, and the 10th. Her handlers at Wildtracks call her "Khaleesi," and at this time she's an 8-foot female who has not reached adulthood just yet.

    Belmopan Buckling
    Last night on 7News you heard the Belmopan Mayor talk about the difficulties of trying to run a cash trapped city hall in a time of national crisis and economic stoppage. He said their revenue stream has slowed from 120 thousand a week to a mere trickle: "For example at the beginning of March we were averaging somewhere between 110 to 120 thousand collected per week and in that 4th week of March shortly after the first positive case was announced, it dipped dramatically to 50 thousand dollars, two weeks later that was down to 20 thousand dollars and of course now, council are absolutely closed, there is close to nothing coming into the councils chauffeurs at this point in time while we still have to pay..."

    CITCO: $150k to $150?
    And while Belisle leads a UDP council, the story is pretty much the same in Belize City with a PUP council. They are dirt broke and government doesn't have any help to offer. As you know they are struggling even paying the salaries for teachers and public officers. So, the City Hall in Belize City council says they have gone from $150,000 a week to 150 dollars:

    Mayor Calls On Commercial Banks
    And so while the revenue stream has collapsed, what happens when the economy does start back up? the private sector will struggle to get back on its feet after months of taking losses. the mayor says the commercial banks will have to step in to spur economic activity: "The Economy everything is connected and as we look forward post-COVID we will need the financial institutions to take up their loads as well banks will need to take risks..."

    Drug Plane Dodged Belize
    A drug plane landed in Bacalar this morning - and rpeorts are that it could have been circling Belize before that. Police were at the Hill Bank area in Orange Walk where it seemed to have been planning to make a landing. But, the presence of law enforcement on the ground seemed to have scared the traffickers off.

    PUP Cries Foul Over Cattle
    For the past few days now, we've been telling you about the sudden halting of cattle exports through Bullet Tree Falls Village in Cayo, into Guatemala. It was the informal way of doing things, but indications were that the Bullet Tree Chairman stepped in to stop Belizean exporters from moving their livestock through his village until fees were paid to the council.

    UB Defers Graduation
    As we've been reporting, schools have had to make a huge adjustment to COVID 19 and the national lockdown. The President of the University of Belize has announced that its student body will also have to adjust the loss of classroom time due to the COVID-19 crisis. In his 1600-word press statement, President Clement Sankat says quote, "these are uncertain times, times we have never seen before. And it is therefore not possible for me to make definitive statements about the immediate or even not so immediate future."

    Changing Ramadan For COVID Reality
    Fasting, it's a universal tradition, while practiced across the three Abrahamic religions, only Islam prescribes fasting as a principal article of faith. For thirty days a year hundred of millions of Muslims give up food and drink while seeking Allah through readings of the Koran and worship. Ramadan is also practiced in Belize. And this morning we spoke to a local missionary at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Ja'amat about how this year's observation of Ramadan, affected like everything else by the global pandemic, has been celebrated.

    Blackout and Drought
    During last night's news, we told you about the early morning blackout which sent the most of the country into darkness for a little under an hour. Well, BEL has since provided a detailed explanation. As we told you, the company is reporting that the drought, its dry weather conditions, and the accompanying wildfires have been causing contamination to their electricity infrastructure. Over the past few days, the company has noted an increase in pole fires due to excess contaminants covering their insulators, which then causes them to fail. And then, there are the bush fires that damaged poles.

    Channel 5

    A Mysterious Drowning Outside of Hattieville
    Three persons, including his stepfather, are detained for questioning in the mysterious drowning of a Hattieville resident. Twenty-two-year-old Nigel Welch, his stepfather and two others went to an eleven feet [...]

    Sunday’s Total Lockdown Lifted
    There are no new cases of the COVID 19 virus, the last reported case was twelve days ago, so on Monday, the House of Representatives will be in session in [...]

    S.O.E. Curfew Remains in Effect
    With the countrywide quarantine ending on Saturday, April twenty-fifth, movements of people will be permitted, but with restrictions. Businesses such as mechanic shops, banks, and certain government offices will reopen [...]

    Business to Reopen During Certain Hours
    The two-week lockdown winds down at midnight on Saturday and according to the Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, public transportation will resume for essential workers who will be required to travel [...]

    P.U.P. Supports Extended State of Emergency for 30 Days
    This Monday, a House meeting will be held to get approval for an extension of sixty days to the State of Emergency. But it does not mean that the shutdown [...]

    The COVID-19 Situation in Quintana Roo, Mexico
    A panoramic snapshot of the COVID-19 situation in the neighbouring state of Quintana Roo shows a growing number of cases but in the community nearest to Belize, the numbers are [...]

    Belizean Businessman Accused of Meddling in Hong Kong Affairs
    Chinese national Lee Henley Hu Xiang, who holds Belizean citizenship, remains locked up in China and the Chinese government has indicated that it will prosecute Xiang. He is accused of [...]

    Global Oil Prices and the Cost of Fuel in Belize
    Prices for crude oil on the international market plunged dramatically to historic lows, setting off expectations that the savings will be passed on to consumers here. The state of emergency [...]

    I.C.J. Extends Filing Dates for Belize/Guatemala Territorial Claim
    On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice held its first ever virtual plenary meeting. It required the president and the registrar to be available in the deliberation room of the [...]

    Belize City Council Donates Testing Booths to Medical Facilities Across the Old Capital
    Hubert Pipersburgh was the first casualty of the COVID-19 here in Belize.  The fifty-four-year-old resident of San Ignacio worked at City Hall in Belize City and expired two days after [...]

    Mayor Wagner says CitCo Not Dependent on Central Government
    Earlier today, the media caught up with Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner at a handing over event at the K.H.M.H.  As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought business to [...]

    Revenue Stream at the Municipal Level a Drop in the Bucket
    There has been major inactivity at town councils across the country. Many of its services they provide are not considered essential and as such, several of the council’s departments have [...]

    Belize City Mayor on Financial Institutions & Relief
    As a former banker, Mayor Bernard Wagner also spoke about the current state of affairs as it relates to persons who find themselves unable to meet their obligations at financial [...]

    K.H.M.H. Staff Back at Work After Being Quarantined, Cleared
    There are only eleven active cases of the novel coronavirus reported by the Ministry of Health. During the Easter holidays, a number of K.H.M.H. staff members were exposed to COVID-19 [...]

    K.H.M.H. C.E.O. on Concerns of the Hospital Workers Union
    C.E.O. Michelle Cox-Hoare also responded to a question in respect of a request by the K.H.M.H. Workers Union to be granted a seat at the discussion table on the COVID-19 [...]

    K.H.M.H. Still Responding to Accident and Emergency Cases
    There has been a minimal number of shootings and accident victims rushed to the national referral hospital for critical care. The state of emergency has caused restrictions on movements and [...]

    UB “Steps Up” Using Online Education
    The University of Belize has made plans for its student body and while its president, Professor Clement Sankat, hopes to complete semester-two of this academic year, those hopes depend entirely [...]

    Unicomer Donates 10k to Red Cross for COVID Relief
    A number of corporate citizens are stepping up to the plate to assist organizations at this difficult time when COVID-19 has triggered long lines of unemployed persons. The Belize Red [...]

    Should Red Cross have been Tapped for Aid Relief?
    The Barrow administration has come under criticism for the politicization of its COVID-19 relief effort, particularly where the distribution of food items and other forms of aid are concerned.  That [...]

    Chinese Federation Donates Thousands of Face Mask to Frontline Workers
    More than six thousand surgical masks were also donated today to the Belize Police Department and the Ministry of Health. The donation comes courtesy from the All China Federation of [...]

    Fires are Deliberately Set by Hunters in Blue Creek
    Earlier this week, the Department of the Environment officially outlawed the lighting of brushfires, citing the activity as a public health hazard, aside from the destruction that it wreaks.  But [...]

    Muslim Community Worships at Home Amid SOE
    Across the country, thousands of devout religious supporters have been forced to worship at home and the Muslim community in Belize has also had to adapt to the rules of [...]

    Ahmadiyya Muslim Humbly Assists with Food Pantry
    The Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Belize has also been doing its part in assisting needy Belizeans through its own pantry programme.  This week, they reached out to several impoverished neighbourhoods [...]

    Amandala

    2 more long months of State of Emergency
    In an update this afternoon on Belize’s battle against the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Dean Barrow trumpeted the good news that there have been no new cases of the virus since Monday, April 13, and that the clusters of the virus that were present in Belize City and San Ignacio have been contained. The Prime Minister used his video address to explain that on Monday and Tuesday next week, government will present a motion to the National Assembly to extend the national State of Emergency for another two months.

    GOB tells municipalities to cut operating costs
    Many are hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic that has demolished the global economy will make way for a brave new post-pandemic world, as countries begin to strive to rebuild their devastated economies. Although there have been a few countries which are not completely closed, most countries remain under lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus. In Belize, the lockdown is scheduled to continue until the end of the month, but opening the country in gradual stages will fall on the shoulders of the National COVID-19 Taskforce.

    Belize’s sovereign credit score downgraded
    According to an article published on S&P Global’s website on April 17, the agency downgraded Belize’s long-term foreign and local-currency sovereign credit ratings from a B- to a CCC, with a negative outlook. They also lowered the short-term foreign and local currency ratings of the country from a B to a C. The agency, in explaining the reasons for the lower credit ratings, referred to the country’s net general government debt, which is 97 percent of GDP, and it also predicted a significant contraction of Belize’s GDP in 2020.

    No cattle crossing in Bullet Tree
    The negative economic impact of COVID-19 has hit all sectors of the country, including our agricultural sector. Additionally, however, cattle exporters have been facing further restraints by the Bullet Tree village chairman, Sabino Pinelo. According to the area representative of Orange Walk South, Hon. Jose Mai, in an interview with LOVE FM Belize, the problem started on March 20, when three truckloads of cattle were being delivered from Orange Walk into Cayo to be exported to Guatemala.

    Bishop Dorick Wright laid to rest
    Bishop Dorick Wright, 74, Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Church of Belize, was laid to rest this morning after a funeral ceremony was held for him at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral. Bishop Lawrence Nicasio, of Dangriga, was the celebrant. After the funeral, Bishop Wright’s coffin was taken to an area behind the cathedral, where he was entombed. The ceremony and burial were witnessed by just a handful of persons, due to safety regulations dictated by Government in response to the dreaded COVID-19. These regulations include a prohibition against more than 10 persons gathering in any place.

    3 cops charged for willful oppression face internal police tribunal
    Corporal Jason Shaw, 46; Constable Leslie Martinez, 38; and Constable Anthony Villamil, 20, of Precinct 2 of the Police Department in Belize City, were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a charge of willful oppression. They pleaded not guilty and were each offered bail of $1,000 and a surety of the same amount. They were able to meet bail and were ordered to return to court on July 14.

    Police arrest police for curfew violation
    Two off-duty policemen who were found talking in front of one of their houses, were taken into custody by police when they could not give adequate reason for violating the curfew. They were then charged for violating the curfew. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that these two policemen are not the first officers who have been arrested and charged for violating the curfew. The two policemen were upset about the arrest and believe that there should have been the “brotherhood of police” to protect them, and that their arrest could have been a result of rivalry between “northside police and southside police”, since the officers are from the north side of the city.

    Farmer, 50, shot by Guatemalan bandit
    Rafael Vasquez, 50, a farmer of Calla Creek, is recovering at the Western Regional Hospital in a serious but stable condition after he was shot in the abdomen and leg, and his head was grazed. Reliable information is that at about 5:30 Monday evening, Vasquez was on his farm when a man of Hispanic descent came up to him, and asked him to take him to the back roads that lead into Melchor, Guatemala.

    Editorial: Hopefully we will soon be taking our first steps in our new normal
    A story on the website weforum.org, says some disease experts from Harvard believe that “some form of intermittent social distancing may need to be in place until 2022 … because once the initial wave of COVID-19 infections has passed, further outbreaks could occur.” The Harvard experts said that “if lockdown restrictions are lifted at the same time, instead of in coordinated phases, a surge in new cases could overwhelm healthcare systems.”

    Buddy Brown tells KREM PLUS he wants Belizeans to do all they can to stay COVID-19 free
    Popular Belizean entertainment promoter, Earl “Buddy” Brown, who resides in New York, USA, told Evan Hyde, Jr., on his Talk To Mi show on KREM PLUS on Youtube, that he was going on air, on the show, because he wanted to advise all Belizeans to make an intense effort to stay COVID-19 free, because the disease is an ordeal that is not to be taken lightly. Buddy was stricken by the disease some weeks ago, after his wife and daughter became infected with the virus, and he found himself almost at the brink of a medical emergency before he started regaining his health.

    The 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic in Corozal, Belize: An Unclaimed Letter Rediscovered
    Belize is presently facing the most serious public health crisis experienced by any living Belizean. Fortunately, as we write, the country still has only 18 confirmed, positive cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus.(1) Thanks to the quarantine, the transmission of the virus outside of Belize City and San Ignacio has been slow. If the quarantine and public health measures are followed assiduously, there is reason to hope that COVID-19 will spread very slowly and not overwhelm the medical system. Of course, the social and economic costs of this crisis — the social isolation, crash in tourism, and slowdown of trade, to say nothing of illness and possible deaths — are significant, with their own costs and consequences. These are hard times. It is normal to feel a sense of deep disorientation.

    2 recovered from COVID-19, leaving 14 Belizeans with the virus
    After announcing during its webcast this afternoon that one person who contracted the novel coronavirus has been listed as fully recovered after negative tests were returned, the Ministry of Health updated its infographic late this evening, adding that another patient has recovered from the virus, bringing to 2 the amount of recoveries. In Belize, there were 18 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, which resulted in the death of two men.

    Flashback on the birth of semipro league football in Belize
    With no sports occurring during this COVID-19 induced State of Emergency, we find ourselves indulging in the luxury of reflection. And among our unpublished material we came across something we think worth recording. I had briefly coached a Kremandala Lake semipro football team back in 2005, and their star strikers then were a young Deon McCaulay, his dad David “Manu” McCaulay and one Dion “Pussy” Flowers. The major part of the below article was done at the time stated, February 2, 2012; but it was not completed, and with newspaper deadline pressures and so much sports to cover, it somehow, like some other material, got left by the wayside. Now, with some time on my hands, after considerable effort researching old notes and records, I managed to wrap up the story yesterday. Actually, it is a brief sketch of what could be a whole book to chronicle the development of semi-professional football in Belize.

    Cxh – Football Flashback 3 – Some more names from “back eena di day”
    Perhaps, we should have embarked upon recalling prominent teams of the past, and then try and fill in their rosters with the help of old timers from the different football eras; because, each few days, it seems, we remember a few more names of ‘ballers from “dem days.” For example, imagine, I completely forgot the first goalkeeper I played with in senior football competition on Amateur Sporting Club, one Brian Bennett, who was so intense in goal that he would literally cry tears sometimes when a goal was scored upon him. Also, the legendary Independence goalie “Cuando Caliente el Sol” (a.k.a. Roland Craig), who was the man between the sticks on Diamond-A teams I played with between 1972-74.

    Poverty and poor governance
    It seems like the stories around the Coronavirus have taken over our lives, but while it is critical because it is a life and death issue, even more critical to me is the economic hardship we will suffer at the hands of our failed government and poor governance. Knowing that we cannot afford to cope with any massive COVID-19 infections due to a poor healthcare system and a poor economy, as soon as I understood the fallout COVID-19 had caused in other countries I applied the metric to Belize and knew an early response could be our saving grace.

    If we wud a oanli noa how dehn one pan di ada side di punish
    We, who are living through this horrific time, being stared down by a deadly disease, watching our country’s economy crushed before our eyes, and people getting sick, and even dying, we should not for one moment think that things are better on the other side, bikaaz there is no safety over there. No, I don’t have the hayr off a di haas tayl een a mi han, but for all I read, and listen around, and think, I have every belief that it is plenty rough for those who have departed too.

    A new beginning
    The great Shakespeare in Julius Caesar uses the image of “tides” twice to describe the momentous movements in the affairs of man’s history. The image is first used when Caesar crosses the Rubicon, taking his army into Rome, which was forbidden; but he defied the law and Rome subjected it to one-man rule. But, when Brutus and his fellow conspirator and assassin were met by Octavian and Mark Antony at Phillipi, he argued with the image of the “tides” in reference to the affairs of men to convince Cassius to attack the opposing forces. As a result, he strained their resources. They were overwhelmed and lost.

    Desmond Roberts’ devious games
    It happened that due to pressure of work Jerome was sometimes unable to leave the hospital in time to catch the regular flight at 11:30 on a Saturday morning and would have to charter a plane to get home; and it had been on one such occasion in mid-July that an incident had occurred causing a ruffle in their relationship. A Mr. Desmond Roberts, a prominent and wealthy storeowner of East Indian extraction from their town, who had travelled to the capital on business and, like Jerome, had missed the regular flight home, had been advised by the airline company that he might seek a passage with him on the final charter flight for that day.

    Scientific evidence indicates virus that causes COVID-19 infection is of natural origin, not the result of human engineering
    Misleading: New directives by the Chinese government are in line with best practices enacted by scientific institutions around the world when handling new pathogens. These directives are not evidence of a biosecurity breach as claimed. Unsupported: There is no evidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was studying SARS-CoV-2 before the outbreak, nor that biosecurity failures led to its release or that lab animals are being sold or consumed.

    Belize and the Caribbean should have a contingency plan
    Dear Editor, J.P. Morgan predicts that the United states GDP will shrink by 25% in the second quarter. Goldman Sachs estimates a 34% contraction, and Evercore ISI predicts a 50% decline. I expect that the US will have negative growth for 3 years and less than 2% growth for at least a decade. What the US Federal Reserve is doing with quantitative easing, low interest rates and the Federal Reserve buying up bonds, is what the Bank of Japan did in the 1990s and has continued indefinitely. After the Asset Bubble burst in 1991 and early 1992, in Japan, the ratio of public bond to GDP increased from 42% in 1990 to 191% in 2018.

    COVID-19: The battle between education and survival
    Dear Editor, As I listen intently to all the collective concerns of teachers, parents and students alike with regard to the direction of education in these critical times of uncertainty, there are mixed feelings as to the level of engagement that students purportedly need or should be receiving during this time. There are the advocates who believe that students should be getting “pound for pound” work, aligned against the curriculum and measured by proper activities and assessments.

    Oil is at -(minus) 14.72 – US$2.85 a barrel
    Dear Editor, For the first time in history, oil is at -(minus) 14.72 a barrel. That means oil producers are paying for a barrel. The largest oil producer is the United States, but they consume their oil and import some. The largest oil exporter is Saudi Arabia, and second is Russia.

    The Reporter

    Ministry of Agriculture CEO Jose Alpuche Resigns
    Sources in the Ministry of Agriculture have confirmed to the Reporter that CEO Jose Alpuche has handed in his resignation from the post. We are told that his departure will take effect in three months.

    Fuel prices in Belize remain high
    Public outcry has been escalating as fuel prices in Belize remain exorbitantly high despite record lows worldwide and world oil prices in the negative. According to Financial Secretary Joe Waight, "The retail sales have been down by almost 75 % as a result of the lockdown and the loss/decrease of income for many thousands of vehicle owners and operators. The old stock still has not been exhausted but should should occur in the near days ahead .

    LOVE FM

    Director of Health Services speaks on re-infection additional testing and the new norm
    Belize has reported that five of the eighteen patients who have been tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered. The burning question with these recoveries is whether or not the patients have developed an immunity to the coronavirus.

    CitCo scales back salaries
    Globally, governments, businesses and workers are taking a hit financially. In Belize City, Mayor Bernard says it is like going from making one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars.

    PUP support State of Emergency extension
    In response to the Prime Minister’s announcement to extend the current State of Emergency for 60 additional days, the PUP has stated that they support a 30-day extension. While the PM stated that this 60 day extension was to gradually start relaxing the current restrictions imposed, the PUP has consulted medical experts on the matter, thus forming their opinion.

    Attorney General simplifies the current situation and what will change come Sunday
    There has been some confusion within the public following the Prime Minister’s announcement of ease on restrictions yesterday. The confusion seems to stem from the fact that the State of Emergency is being extended but the restrictions are being relaxed.

    CitCo donates testing booths in memory of Hubert Pipersburgh
    Two COVID-19 testing booths were installed on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) compound this morning just after ten o’clock. The donation was through the efforts of the Belize City Council as a dedication to their former employee, Hubert Pipersburgh who lost his fight against COVID-19.

    Regular gas price plummets
    The cost of regular fuel has plummeted at the pumps. As at midnight tonight, for the first time in many years consumers will be paying under eight dollars per gallon of regular fuel.

    Issues with Food Assistance Program
    In a time of distress such as this, people have been taking advantage of those less fortunate. According to the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, members of the public have been falsely called by persons claiming to represent the ministry and being told they have been approved for food assistance.

    Manatee injured by spear
    An Antillean Manatee was found injured at Shipstern Lagoon. The manatee, named Khaleesi, is an 8-foot sub-adult female that was recently released into its natural habitat by Wildtracks Rehabilitation Center in Sarteneja Village, Corozal.

    Delivery man found dead inside a man-made pool
    A Belizean Delivery man was found dead in a man-made pool just before midday. Initial investigation reveals that 22-year-old Nigel Welch was with 3 other men at Malic Sand Pit when he jumped in the man-made pool and did not resurface.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Over $3 million paid in unemployment relief as portal closes
    The Economic Oversight Team informed today that the online portal for the Unemployment Relief Program has […]

    Cyclist killed in traffic accident near Yo Creek
    A man died minutes ago in a road traffic accident. He has not yet been […]

    Garifuna Collective represents Belize on Bird Song album produced by German record label
    The German record label Shika Shika is releasing a new album called “A Guide to […]

    Guatemala seeks extension from ICJ to submit argument against Belize
    Last May Belizeans voted to have Guatemala’s unfounded claim to Belizean territory adjudicated before the […]

    Give us this day our daily bread – A tribute to Karla Cano Turton
    By Lisa Shoman: When I gave her the challenge of making a wedding cake in the form of sandcastle (but just like if a kid made it), and she rose to the challenge and executed it magnificently complete with a little flag, assorted sea shells and iridescent brown sugar sand, I knew she was a certified GENIUS. […]

    PUP Supports 30 Day State of Emergency
    On April 23, 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the Government will convene a meeting […]

    The relaxed measures as explained by the Attorney General
    The Attorney General (AG) said today that among the relaxed measures taken by officials include […]

    Attorney General: Rules for May 1st to June 30th not yet completed
    The Attorney General (AG), Micheal Peyrefitte explained today on the “Ask the Experts Panel” that […]

    Unicomer (Belize) Ltd. the parent company of Courts partners with The Belize Red Cross Society for COVID-19 relief aid
    Courts is joining the country’s fight against the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with a […]

    British Army training support unit continues to assist Ministry of National Security during COVID-19 pandemic
    The Government of the United Kingdom, through the British Army Training Support Unit (BATSUB), has […]

    PUP’s Jose Mai calls for the resignation of Godwin Hulse as Minister of Agriculture
    The People’s United Party (PUP)’s Jose Mai issued a statement today calling for the resignation […]

    Belize City Council hands over COVID-19 testing booths to KHMH and clinics
    In honor of fallen friend Hubert Pipersburgh and in support of the effort to fight […]

    Family of 3 charged for unlicensed M4 assault rifle
    A mother and her two children of a Violet Lane address in Belize City have […]

    Ministry of Immigration relocates Belize City office
    The Ministry of Immigration announced today that it will be relocating its Belize City office. […]

    A+ restaurant robbed in Belize City
    A+ restaurant, located on Mahogany Street and owned by nationalized Belizean Guozi Zhen, 57, was […]

    Belize national to be prosecuted in China for ‘Hong Kong’ interference
    The International Business Times and other international media sites are reporting that China has detained […]

    Blogs

    Bad Things Happen in Threes
    As for my three bad things, it all started with a chipped tooth on Saturday night. Being that we were on total lockdown for the second Sunday (of three) and not able to leave the house, I Facebook messaged my main San Pedro dentist Dr. Lara and asked him if he would be available on Monday to see me. Thankfully I got an instant yes. Next came Sunday and bad thing number two. Had I known this was going to happen I almost would have, stayed in bed. Thankfully I didn’t because it was laundry day. Also extremely thankful that my sheets made it through the wash cycle ok. Not happy the next load did not as my washing machine quit.

    Puffy Fry Jacks – they are a thing!
    I had no idea that puffy fry jacks were a thing of wonder. Apparently, not everyone has the recipe to successfully make puffy, pillowy mounds of fried dough. A real treat, however, is the fried delights known as Fry Jacks. Made with the same tortilla dough, fry jacks are the epitome of indulgence. Once flattened into a nice round circle, some cooks would slice the dough in half, then drop in a pan of hot oil, letting it fry up nice and puffy, turning and ensuring all sides are evenly browned and perfect. Imagine my surprise at finding out that not everyone has the same luck at the first try! Their fry jacks often stay flat, perhaps a bubble or two forms, but no full-on puff that separates and creates the perfect pocket to stuff with beans and cheese or eggs or veggies or what-have-you.

    International Sourcesizz

    Webinar “The Future of Caribbean tourism"
    Join the CTO on April 30th for a Facebook Live webinar “The Future of Caribbean tourism – Key consideration for the COVID-19 recovery. Join us on Facebook Live for a webinar that takes place on Thursday 30 April at 11:00 am Eastern Caribbean Time (4:00 p.m. in the UK). Speakers include World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) deputy director for the Americas, Alejandro Varela; Gloria Guevara, president, World Travel & Tourism Council; Neil Walters, Caribbean Tourism Organization acting secretary general.

    Videos

  • Peter Lawrence on ReefTV, 12min.

  • Mr. Adrian Rogers of Caye Caulker, 4min. Your onions are coming, folks! Mr. Adrian Rogers has got you covered! Mr. Adrian Rogers, a taxi driver by trade, is an integral part of the supply chain here on Caye Caulker. Today he’s delivering food supplies to the soup kitchens and individuals all around the island. We salute you, sir!

  • Belize with Lindblad Expedition Naturalist Alyssa Adler, 46min. Join Lindblad Expedition's naturalist Alyssa Adler as she takes students on a virtual field trip to show off the natural wonders of Belize! Originally from Oregon, Alyssa has always had a strong relationship with nature and the outdoors. In search of a life full of adventure, she found her passion for the ocean while studying at Oregon State University. As a PADI Divemaster, her life revolves around diving and science. Working globally as an underwater videographer and ocean educator - from the balmy coral reefs of the Seychelles to the abundant kelp forests of Southern Argentina. Additionally, Alyssa has fostered a love for the poles and extreme cold-water diving, spending most of her time in Antarctica and the high Arctic. Once in a while, however, she takes the welcome opportunity to thaw out on tropical reefs like Belize!

  • Belize 2020, 58min. Four couples who are friends and bird watchers travel to four different eco-resorts in search of birds and much more such as butterflies, culture and natural wonders.

  • Backpacking in Belize, 3min. Traveling through Belize: San Ignacio, Hopkins and Caye Caulker

  • Friday's "Ask the Experts", min. Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General & Minister of National Security,

  • UNCOVERING COVID-19 Pandemic - A Channel 5 Special, 90min.

  • Ramadan in Belize, 3min.

  • Sharks, Blacktips at Half Moon Caye, Belize, 14min. Scuba Diving Half Moon Caye Belize...................Blacktip Sharks Everywhere, Excellent Dive

  • Let's Paint Belize Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2min. Special Envoy Belize

  • Belize & Guatemala, 7.5min. Aboard the NG Quest we explored the Southern Cayes of Belize as part of the pristine Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. We also ventured inland to the rainforests of the Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve

  • The Plug, 32min.

  • Dr. Elizabeth Graham receives the Society for American Archaeology Award for Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology, 21min. Check out the virtual award ceremony below, Liz's award is at 11:20. Today we were supposed to be gathered at the SAA Annual Meeting in Austin to honor Dr. Liz Graham as she received the Award for Excellence in Latin American and Caribbean Archaeology. As SAA president Joe Watkins said today, "Even though we had to cancel our physical meeting, we still want to take the opportunity to congratulate our colleagues and acknowledge their contributions."

    April 24, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow Updates Nation on the Existing State of Emergency
    My Fellow Belizeans, I take this opportunity to update you on the most recent developments in our ongoing struggle against COVID-19. Thankfully, we are holding steady on the health front. Thus, there has been no new positive since Monday, April 13th. There were the two lamentable deaths; but no other of the 18 cases originally […]

    Government of Belize considers easing restrictions in National State of Emergency
    Thursday, March 23rd marks one month since Ambergris Caye was placed under a mandatory quarantine, after the government announced the first case of COVID-19 on the island. The rules restricted people from leaving or traveling to Ambergris Caye, as the island went into a complete lock down for 72 hours. The island quickly became a ghost town as islanders remained home to stop the spread of the deadly virus. Following a surge in new cases on the mainland, additional restrictions to protect Belizeans were introduced via an updated Statutory Instrument upon the declaration of a National State of Emergency.

    Tutoring group formed to help during COVID-19 education interruption
    A small group of undergraduate students at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be tutoring secondary school students in Belize affected by the COVID-19-related school closures. Tutoring will take place online, and instructors are eager to start as soon as possible, running the program at least until the end of May. All tutoring will be fully subsidised by the tutors themselves, and Sea Alms, a small spa and skin care company recently formed in Belmopan.

    Ambergris Today

    All Three Lobster Festivals in Belize Have Been Cancelled for 2020
    At the beginning of April, the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest committee officially announced the cancelation of their lobster festival for 2020; this is in light of the current situation our country is facing with COVID-19. “No one knows how long this will last and the community will slowly take this time to recover from all loses incurred,” posted Caye Caulker Lobster Fest committee on their Facebook page. “To those businesses who had already sponsored us, please know that it will be carried over to the next festival. Thank you for your continued support and we hope to once again bring life to our little island.”

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    Prime Minister Rt Hon Dean Barrow: Update to the Nation On the State of Emergency in force
    My dear Belizeños, I take this opportunity to provide you updated information about our fight against COVID-19. Fortunately, we remain stable in the field of health and have not reported any positive cases since Monday, April 13 Unfortunately two people died, but luckily none of the 18 originally diagnosed patients remain hospitalized. In fact, we now have 5 patients recovered and the rest are recovering at home. The tracking and mapping exercise carried out in San Pedro, San Ignacio, Corozal and Belize City is about to end, but sampling continuously. We are also waiting for a resupply of reagents this Saturday that will allow us to proceed with the full scope of the necessary tests...

    The Virtual Tool to Verify Application Status for COVID-19 Relief Fund Is Under Repair
    On Tuesday, April 21, an additional tool was loaded on the online portal of the COVID-19. Unemployment Relief Program. This tool allows applicants to connect to the Internet to verify the status of their financial aid application. Many applicants have used this to verify their applications and has largely been effective. However, several people have mistakenly received a message indicating that their application does not meet eligibility requirements. That message has been deleted until its functionality can be corrected. All applicants who received that message should note that their applications are being reviewed.

    San Pedro Lobster Festival Cancelled
    It is with regret that the San Pedro Lobster Festival Executive Committee must inform you that the event for this year has been cancelled. We are disappointed and know that you are too but in light of the current world events it is impossible for us to proceed this year.

    From the British Army Training Support Unit Belize
    BATSUB and the UK Government have donated one thousand 24 Hour ration packs to the Belizean Ministry of Defence, to aid in the fight against COVID-19.

    Vistro updated
    Vistro has updated their app with some new functionality. You can scan barcodes, and have it delivered. Great idea.

    "Dive Into Tourism" Monthly Newsletter
    Dive Into Tourism Vol. 2 is now available on the Ministry's website! Visit http://tourism.gov.bz/diveintotourism/ (Issue #1 is on the same URL under "Archives")

    Virtual Meeting Financial,Tech Support Needs For Tourism Industry
    To all Stakeholders: Kindly take note of the virtual meeting on financial and technical support for the tourism industry.

    Belize Ma'alob k'iin
    Kinich Ahau has come out to enlight our day . Kinich Ahau (Kinich Ajaw) is the representation of the sun and it manifest to us every day .

    "Art & Soul," Vilma Romero
    Today we begin the weekly series "Art & Soul" showcasing Corozal artists. And, without a doubt we must inaugurate the series with our Mother of Art - the late, great, Vilma Romero who impacted so many in her lifetime. Corozal was blessed to have such a kind, generous soul who always was there to assist, support and encourage others. We went a bit overboard with images today but really, just made a dent into her massive collection. Enjoy...

    Online Training Opportunity
    The Government of the United Arab Emirates is offering an online training course entitled " Let's Break the Chain of COVID-19 Infection." This program will provide you with rapid training on key aspects of infection and immunity to empower you in your community-based advocacy on how to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19. The course covers the chain of infection, how infectious diseases are transmitted and how to break the chain of infection through concrete preventive action.

    COVID 19 UPDATE
    Note that the change this time around is in the line item ' persons under investigation' and this is made up for now, exposed health care workers who are going to be tested after the 14 day exposure. Exposed staff would routinely be re-swabbed at day 14 or if they become symptomatic prior to the 14 days, to date all exposed staff tested have been negative. We also need to bear in mind that this weekend will represent the 14 day time period since the last identified cases so that we can anticipate a higher number of tests from Saturday through to Monday.

    USA Donates Communication and Boston Whaler Parts
    On April 23, the United States Government donated over $400,000 USD worth of communications equipment and Boston Whaler sustainment parts to the Belize Ministry of National Security. The donation is part of the U.S. Southern Command’s continued partnership with Belize and was funded by the U.S. counternarcotics program. The communications equipment is part of a program started in 2014 to provide interoperable secure communications within most of the country for the Ministry of National Security. The material includes 55 Falcon III multiband hand-held radio transceivers with internal GPS, valued at nearly $295,000 USD. The Boston Whaler parts and equipment will help sustain the Belize Coast Guard’s primary patrol vessels. The donation includes two spares kits, two diagnostic computer packages, engine shop tools, and 22 service kits valued at over $116,000 USD.

    BEL continues to manage the effects of environmental conditions on power system
    Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) teams continue to manage the effects of extended drought and seasonal dry weather conditions on our electric infrastructure, which have resulted in an increase of dust. smoke and soot contamination on power line equipment. Over the past few days, there has been an increase in pole fires due to excessive contaminants on insulators that cause them to fail, and bush fires that damage poles. One such failure occurred early this morning on the 115kV transmission line that connects the national grid to the Mexican grid. At the time, the Mexican grid was supplying most of the energy being used in Belize. which resulted in a temporary system collapse.

    Mr. Andre Perez donated 400 loaves of freshly baked bread and 150 buns to the community of Caye Caulker
    Fresh bread is a staple in most households, and it is not available to food bank clients as often as we would like because of the limited shelf life. The donation was stationed at the community center where the islanders recieved the delivery.

    Message from BTIA Executive Committee and Management
    BTIA Executive Committee and Management share updates on the current efforts of the Association.

    Festival of Arts 2020 Online
    "Creative Resilience - Social Media is My Stage". Call for Entries! Open to children and youths ages 3 to 21!

    Chart: Coronavirus and the Belizean Labor Market

    URGENT CALL FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE IN RANCHITO VILLAGE
    From Doctor Michael Parish and Shelley Falk: Our little Village of Ranchito needs help very quickly! Shelley and I actually live in Ranchito. Our population is around 1,500. Today, we met with the Village chair and vice chair. We have over 600 people starving. The government is struggling with money and they are getting zero assistance that was promised. PLEASE DONATE ANY NON-PERISHABLE FOODS OR CANNED GOODS YOU CAN. You can bring these to my office just south of Atlantic Bank in Corozal. Rice, beans, flour, anything! I am open Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the shutdown seeing patients. Please help Our village. Even one item is needed. Check the cupboards and pantry. I will deliver the food goods. We will pass along any cash donations too. God Bless.

    Youth Chat on Covid19 Pandemic:Beyond the Horizon Public
    Hosted by The National Student Union of Belize. The NSUB is having an online youth talk on Monday and Tuesday, at 2:00pm. The global pandemic of Sars- Cov-19 has reached the shores of Belize as anticipated and has affected us in both palpable and tangible ways ranging from the sociocultural, to the political and the economic. The National Student Union of Belize is grounded on the preamble of “Whereas students need a student-centred and student-led forum to exchange ideas, views and suggestions through regular meeting with purpose to achieve goals”and it is on that basis that we host a meeting of youth from all levels of the education system to evaluate and interrogate but also to propose recommendations for the way forward using a framework approach of Youth Mainstreaming in Development Planning.

    Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation needs short-term consultant
    Cluster facilitator, Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) Cluster Development Plan (CDP) in Belize Background: In 2017, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Government of Canada, and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) have established a co-financing facility called “The Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility” (GN-2851), which is a continuation of the Compete Caribbean Program that funded over 100 private sector development projects over the period 2010-2016 in the Caribbean. These projects generated nearly 12,000 jobs, a 23% increase in exports (USD $37M) and a 41% increase in the revenue of participating firms and clusters (USD$153M), as well as an improvement in the business climate for some countries through policy or regulatory reforms.

    U.S. Embassy looking for Security Investigator
    The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the following position: Security Investigator (Foreign Service National Investigator) Basic Salary: BZ $41,816.00 Extended closing date: April 20, 2020

    U.S. Government to Donate Equipment to Ministry of National Security to Assist Counternarcotic Efforts
    On April 23, the United States Government donated over $400,000 USD worth of communications equipment and Boston Whaler sustainment parts to the Belize Ministry of National Security. The donation is part of the U.S. Southern Command’s continued partnership with Belize and was funded by the U.S. counternarcotics program. The communications equipment is part of a program started in 2014 to provide interoperable secure communications within most of the country for the Ministry of National Security. The material includes 55 Falcon III multiband hand-held radio transceivers with internal GPS, valued at nearly $295,000 USD.

    Relief to the Belize Cultural Sector is Ongoing
    To all our Creatives and Cultural Workers, we know that the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on our livelihoods and industry. As of now, 196 citizens in the culture and creative sector have received relief through the Government of Belize Financial Relief Program. This number should increase as the COVID19 teams are still processing incoming information. Therefore, if you are in need, we encourage you to apply to the Financial Relief Program at this link: https://covid19.bz/

    SANTIAGO CASTILLO GROUP DONATES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
    The Belize Police Department, Eastern Police Division (E.D.) received a generous donation of sundries from Santiago Castillo Group of Companies. Items received included assorted cookies, coffee, chocolate mix, tea, paper napkin, toilet paper, and Dutch Lady powder milk. These items will be distributed between the four Precincts, and the Coastal and Rural, Sub-Stations within Belize District.

    Channel 7

    Only 11 COVID Cases in Belize
    Tonight, only 11 Belizeans have active COVID 19 infections.  And finally, the government is going to start relaxing some of the lockdown restrictions.   More on that in a minute, but first to the latest results released after 8:00 last night.  It shows three more recovered patients - bringing the Toal number to 5, and no one in the hospital. In an address this afternoon, the Prime Minister outlined the encouraging news from the testing results so far:

    Government Lifts Sunday's Complete Lockdown
    And while the state of awareness needs to remain high, the Prime Minister today announced that some of the additional special measures, the strictest ones that went into effect 6 days ago will now be relaxed slightly now that the clusters have been contained.   This starts with the full lockdown on Sundays - which is now being removed while limited public transport is being re introduced:

    Relaxed State of Emergency Adjustments Coming May 1
    So, the limited lockdown continues, so then why, as we reported last night, is the government going back to the house to extend the state of emergency for two months? Well, as he explained today, that extension will provide for new, more relaxed regulations starting on May first. "The original State of Emergency Proclamation will itself expire on April 30th, 2020. An extension is clearly needed but that can only be done by way of a Resolution of the National Assembly..."

    Unemployment Assistance Programme Still Rolling Out
    Of course, even when those restrictions are relaxed, don't expect those tourism jobs to be magically re-appear anytime soon!  Withe Belize's major tourism market being the United States, regular cruise or air travel from that country is a long ways off.   So, continued assistance to the jobless remains a priority - and the PM had an update on disbursements from the COVID 19 Unemployment Relief Fund:

    In Case Of COVID Complaint
    The Government is also reporting that the online portal for the Unemployment Relief program has been updated to allow applicants to review their applications make the necessary corrections for missing or incorrect information. We told you on Monday that among those 72,213 applications that were submitted for the assistance, were a large number of applications with incorrect information. The information technology team was hard at work to create an addition to the web portal to allow applicants to go online and review the status of their applications.

    Re-Agent Getting A Re-up
    And, in one more small aside from today's statement by the Prime Minister, he discussed the state of testing supplies - more of which are on the way.  We have been hearing consistent reports that a critical component, known as a "re-agent" was running low.  We note also that 187 tests were done in the week from April 15th to the 22nd, but we saw that testing kind of tapers off between the 17th and the 22nd, with only 82 tests being done.  

    Teachers Salary Will Be Late
    The COVID-19 crisis has negatively affected all Belizeans, some more than others, but new realities have now come knocking on the door of the nation's teachers.  Normally, the Government of Belize would have paid teachers their monthly salaries tomorrow. The practice has been that teachers receive their pay on the last Friday of the month. But because the economy is at a standstill due to the State of Emergency, teachers aren't going to be paid until next Wednesday.

    Agriculture CEO Will Quit
    As we've been reporting, Belize's cattle and livestock industry is in a crisis - because the informal crossing through Bullett Tree is closed off - and cattle is not going over to Guatemala.  Farmers are desperate and stand to lose animals, and could lose their farms and livelihoods.  It's a crisis which government just can't solve - and now the most senior man in the Ministry of Agriculture is walking away - sources say in frustration.

    Caught An M4 Carbine
    CIB and Special Branch in Belize City took a dangerous weapon off the streets today. It's this M4 Carbine, a military grade rifle with more than a dozen live rounds and a magazine.  

    Out Of Season Conch Caught
    And, while police caught that big gun, the Fisheries Department and the Coast Guard caught hundreds of out of season conch.   Yesterday morning, the joint operation was in the vicinity of Twin Caye in the South Water Caye marine reserve.   Compliance Officer Hampton Gamboa told us more: "They were 3 fisheries officer and 2 coast guard officer on that operation when they came across a vessel and upon trying to search the vessel, the vessel ended up running away, drove off and threw bags in the sea and the officer had to pursue. While pursuing, couple of the officers went overboard to retrieve the product..."

    Out of Season Lobster Fishers Prosecuted
    Those men could face substantial fines - the kind which ere levelled off another finisher caught three weeks ago with out of season lobster.  4 fishers were caught with 2 large crocus sacks of out-of-season lobster also in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.  Gamboa says it resulted in a successful prosecution: "In that matter, that has concluded and one of the individuals pleaded guilty of the 4 that was charge, one of the individual pleaded guilty, so hence the reason why they were charged for possession during the close season..."

    Slingshot's Testing Booths
    Earlier in the month, we showed you Face shields and medical Cubes designed by Slingshot.  It's part of the COVID-19 switch up that has forced the sign maker and others to adapt to remain relevant and viable in the midst of the pandemic. But they've also been hard at work on testing booths. They're similar to the ones built by Gallardo Services and Hardware in Belmopan but Slingshot received a massive government order and had to produce 12 of them in a ten-day period. Cherisse Halsall was there for two Belize City installations.

    Sanitizing San Ignacio Police Station
    The San Ignacio Police station got a free deep clean this morning - and we don't mean with "Flash". It's a virus grade sanitization donated by Jose Canul of Green Wave Industries. Canul says the disinfection he offers meets the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    Garden City Struggling, Like All Municipalities
    Yesterday we spoke to the Mayor of Belize City about how his council is struggling to provide basic services with reduced staff on reduced wages. It's much the same for Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle - who, though he hasn't cut his employees wages - says that the council's revenue has been cut to almost zero.  He spoke to Feste Films about the situation all councils - red and blue - are facing:

    Blackouts Caused By Drought
    There was a wide area blackout early this morning, and BEL says that it was caused by a damaged transmission structure near San Estevan in the Orange Walk District.  The failure happened sometime after 1 a.m., about an hour and a half later, a BEL crew was able to make the necessary repairs to restore power to most of the communities in the Corozal and Toledo Districts. Portions of the Orange Walk and Stann Creek Districts also had their electricity restored. Several hours later, they were able to restore power to the rest of the Belize Cayo and the Stann Creek Districts.

    Lab Weeks Celebrates Precision
    It's Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, a time to celebrate and encourage clinical laboratory personnel while increasing public understanding of and appreciation for all the work they do. And in our second look at the Central Medical Lab, we'll feature the wider work being done by the Heroes in Lab coats who quietly and competently go about their duties. Medical Technologist Michelle Escobar who shared what it is about her job that keeps her motivated. 

    Chester Still Wrasslin' The Police Association
    It seems like ever since he became commissioner 15 months ago, Chester Williams has been at war with the Police Association led by Corporal Eldon Arzu.  And now, Arzu and 6 executive members who've been nominated can't get endorsed or elected to their posts because Williams doesn't want to accept it â€" even though they are the only ones nominated. We asked him about this yesterday and his exasperation was apparent: There's no indication when this matter will be settled.

    Imperial Donations
    Belize's U.S. and U.K. allies today made much-appreciated donations to our National Security forces. BATSUB and the UK Government have aided in the COVID-19 fight by donating one thousand 24 Hour ration packs to the Ministry of National Security.

    SJCJC Students Come Up With A Clear Vision
    After more than 20 days of the restricted movement in observance of the State of Emergency regulations and the curfew, you may be craving a bit of freedom from your homes. But, a group of students from Saint John's College Junior College has put that time to such productive use, that they've come up with a creation that has impressed their instructor, Yasser Musa. He gave them a project for their design course, in which they were supposed to create a magazine.

    The Difficulty With Distance
    So, viewers will definitely note that all forms of productivity, including the pursuit of education, are now taking place on the internet.  Face-to-face meetings and interviews, for example, are now taking place via video conferencing. Businesses have bolstered their online presence to adapt to the COVID-19 threat. But we've been wondering can students make the adjustment to online learning for the duration of this threat? For many years, the routine of a scholar was a rigorous week-day schedule of waking up early, attending classes for many hours, and then heading home where assignments and homework happens.

    Fewer Fires Most Smoke
    Nasa Satellites saw fewer fires today, reporting only 42 in the San Ignacio area, that's a 77% reduction. But those stats could be due to the overcast. And if you ask San Ignacio residents it surely was. They say the smoke was the worst ever with many blaming Guatemalan farmers and Cattle ranchers operating in the Chiquibul.  And in a Press release today the Friends for Conservation and Development say that a PACT supported overflight conducted today reported forest fires to be quote: "ominously visible throughout the landscape with a blanket smoke descending over and covering the towns and villages." 

    CORRECTION ON CHETUMAL
    Last night we told you that Mexico had entered what its government calls "Phase 3" of the spread of the coronavirus, the most serious stage, as transmission of the virus intensifies.  We also provided numbers for Chetumal, which were unfortunately erroneous. What we provided were Quintana Roo's statistics which stand at 426 confirmed cases with 63 cases under investigation.

    Channel 5

    Late Pay for Teachers Sparks Concerns About Salaries
    April twenty-fourth is the last Friday of the month and across the country several thousand teachers were expecting that their salaries would have been deposited in their accounts going into [...]

    No Guarantees that Teachers Will Receive Full Pay Going Forward
    In a meeting with Financial Secretary Joseph Waight back in March, assurances were given that teachers would be paid at the end of each month, notwithstanding the financial constraints.  The [...]

    PM Updates the Nation on COVID-19 Response
    Three more persons have recovered from COVID-19. This brings the number of persons who have recovered to five, leaving eleven persons still battling the novel coronavirus. Unfortunately, two Belizeans died [...]

    Sunday’s Total Lockdown to Disappear
    PM Barrow says that the relaxation of the quarantine measures is because of the containment of the cluster spread of the novel corona virus. Local public transportation by land, air, [...]

    Five COVID-19 Patients Have Recovered, Belize Still Not in the Clear
    Earlier, in a recorded statement, the PM said reagents which are on order are expected this weekend. That comes on the heels of reports that health supplies ordered by Belize [...]

    Blue Creek Cattle Producers are Taking a Serious Lick
    The situation in agriculture, particularly for livestock producers, is dire as thousands of heads of cattle are grazing in pastures that are quickly drying up amid the drought.  The Ministry [...]

    Not Enough Consumers for Locally Produced Beef
    The COVID-19 state of emergency, along with the abrupt closure of the unrecognized trading route at Bullet Tree Falls, has left many farmers holding on to livestock that cannot be [...]

    Three Dangriga Residents Charged for Out-of-Season Conch
    The early closure of the conch season and the coronavirus pandemic have also had an impact of fisherfolks. While they are still allowed to harvest finfish within the non-curfew hours, [...]

    Almost $4500 for Fisherman Caught with Out-of-Season Lobster
    Conservation and Compliance Supervisor at the Fisheries Department, Hampton Gamboa also gave an update on another case, which occurred on March twenty-ninth.  In that incident at sea, also in the [...]

    23,680 Unemployment Relief Payouts
    The government is not discounting the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus.  With a soft reopening of the economy, the preservation of life and health remains a priority and [...]

    Chester Willing to Take Pay Cut to Keep Police Officers Employed
    The Public Service Union, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers are in consultation with Government over cost saving measures to lessen the financial [...]

    Harvard Students Offer Free Tutoring to Belizean Students
    A group of Harvard students and one from Emory University have joined efforts to provide free tutoring service for fourth and six formers while classes remain suspended. The services are [...]

    Belize’s Forests Burning Out of Control
    We have been reporting on the growing number of fires which have been sparking all over, and there are now regulations to fine persons who start these fires. Tonight, we [...]

    Police to Enforce New Law on Lighting of Fires
    A new statutory instrument signed on April twentieth prohibits the lighting of fires during the State of Emergency. Concerns grew after the number of fires recorded across the country soared [...]

    Belize City Youths Charged for Gang-related Videos
    The state of emergency for feuding Belize City gangs was lifted last Thursday and over a hundred and forty-two presumed gang members are back on the streets of the Old [...]

    How is the Country Managing HIV/AIDS?
    The death of Ulysease Roca has sparked debate on the treatment of persons who are HIV positive. The statistics show that only half of the persons confirmed as HIV positive [...]

    NAC Chair Gives Update on Progress of Equal Opportunities Bill
    In a telephone interview with the Chair of the National AIDS Commission, News Five got an update on the status of the controversial Equal Opportunities Bill. Public consultations have concluded [...]

    World Book and Copyright Day is Celebrated in Belize
    Across the world, April twenty-third is recognized as World Book and Copyright Day. It is used to recognize the literary works of poets, authors and writers. But in the wake [...]

    Healthy Living: Blood Bank in Pandemic
    It’s Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Week – a time set aside to recognize and show appreciation for the medical laboratory technologists who are an integral part of the healthcare system. They [...]

    The Reporter

    Fires in the West
    A release sent out by Friends for Conservation and Development, has revealed that on the 23 of April an overflight supported by PACT was conducted covering 90 kilometres of the western border with the aim of documenting the extent of forest fires in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains. Using VIIRS Fire Alert Data a total of 286 hotspots have been registered in the Vaca Forest, while in Caracol a total of 89 and in the Chiquibul National Park a total of 125 hotspots.

    LOVE FM

    Guatemala denies Belize in cattle exportation
    Belize made its first export of cattle to Guatemala in February 2017. Since then there has been an informal passage used via Bullet Tree Village, Cayo District, in getting the hundreds of heads of cattle over to the Peten area. Within the last week, however, challenges arose as it was reported that the Village Chairman was blocking the passage of the cattle unless a fee was paid to him.

    33,771 persons approved for the Unemployment relief program
    Since the first case was confirmed in Belize on March 23, the Prime Minister came out and spoke of the country’s plan to assist those who would be losing their jobs and sources of income due to the pandemic. Millions of dollars were sourced in this regard and to date, thousands of Belizeans have received the aid promised by the Government.

    CEO in the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and Immigration resigns
    Chief Executive Officer, Jose Alpuche has resigned from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He tendered his resignation last week with 90 days’ notice. According to Minister Godwin Hulse, Alpuche was vital in implementing several systems at the ministry.

    Dry weather creates several challenges for BEL linesmen
    The linesmen of the Belize Electricity Limited were called out just before two o’clock this morning when the country experienced a power outage. The unscheduled blackout stemmed from some challenges that the utility company has been facing in recent weeks due to the weather.

    Government pursues a twenty five million dollar loan to address drought and agriculture
    2019 saw dozens of farmers impacted by the drought that occurred. Crops were destroyed and millions in revenues were lost. The Government stepped in and according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Godwin Hulse, over one million dollars were distributed to farmers and agro producers.

    GOB looking to extend State of Emergency for another sixty days
    We’ve heard the Prime Minister talk of the reopening of business and the running of public transportation. It is important to note that this is not an indication that the country is still not in a State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a matter of fact, the Government is looking to extend the State of Emergency for another sixty days.

    Five of the eighteen COVID-19 patients have fully recovered
    An official announcement from the Ministry of Health late yesterday evening is that five of the eighteen COVID-19 patients have fully recovered. Up to yesterday at 3 pm, health officials had conducted eight hundred and sixteen tests and forty-six were under investigation.

    Government announces an ease in State of Emergency regulations
    The announcement of five recovered patients and the conclusion of the mapping of the eighteen positive COVID-19 patients has prompted Belize’s National Oversight Committee to review the current restrictions and regulations in place around the country. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who chairs the oversight committee issued an address earlier today informing the public that effective Sunday, April 26, some measures will be lifted while others will be relaxed.

    Fishermen busted with illegal conch
    Three men from the south were found in possession of two hundred and thirty seven illegal conch. These men were caught in the Twin Caye Area in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.

    Harvard students explains tutoring initiative
    Yesterday, we reported on an initiative organized by a Belizean studying at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The initiative would be for other Harvard undergraduates to tutor Belizean students in this time when they cannot learn inside the classroom.

    UB Implements New Measures
    The president of the University of Belize, Professor Clement Sankat, issued a statement to the faculty and students of the school to address how they will move forward in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. While...

    Principals Discuss Their Plans For Home-Based Learning
    Belize is not alone in trying to make the best of the global crisis being faced. In the education sector, classes have been cancelled since March 20 and teachers quickly worked at adapting a home-based...

    Bishop Dorick Wright Laid To Rest
    The fourth Bishop of the Catholic Church was laid to rest today. Our Reporter Alisha Valentine has the story.

    More Details Surface On The Bullying And Abuse Of Ulyseas Roca
    25-year-old Ulyseas Roca died this past weekend of multiple organ failure. The results of the post mortem left more questions and answers.

    Principals comment on auto-promotions
    Apart from ensuring that students are learning outside the classroom, their concerns also include the promotion of students, especially considering that schools were to be entering their third term. On Monday, the Education Minister announced what could be called automatic promotions, but urged schools to assist those who had been falling behind to meet the promotion requirements.

    Principals discuss their plans for home-based learning
    Belize is not alone in trying to make the best of the global crisis being faced. In the education sector, classes have been cancelled since March 20 and teachers quickly worked at adapting a home-based learning method.

    Bishop Dorick Wright laid to rest
    The fourth Bishop of the Catholic Church was laid to rest today. Our Reporter Alisha Valentine has the story.

    More details surface on the bullying and abuse of Ulyseas Roca
    25-year-old Ulyseas Roca died this past weekend of multiple organ failure. The results of the post mortem left more questions and answers.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Dr. Manzanero says ‘More tests for exposed health workers’ in COVID-19 Update
    While Belizeans are comforted by the news of the easing of restrictions starting this weekend, […]

    Teacher’s salaries delayed but Ministry of Education confirms full salary for April
    On the last Friday of every month teachers across the country normally collect their salaries. […]

    Blackout caused by fire on contaminated key transmission line says BEL
    Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has confirmed that a burnt cross-arm on a transmission structure in the […]

    Friends for Conservation and Development recommend proposals to mitigate forest fires
    Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) informed that on April 23, an over-flight supported by […]

    Councilor Candice Pitts opens a soup kitchen in Mesop!
    Belize City Councilor, Dr. Candice Pitts, has been busy at work for the people of […]

    World Book and Copyright Day celebrated today, events in Belize moved online due to social distancing
    Today, countries around the world are paying homage to the impact that books have on […]

    Let’s Break the Chain of COVID-19 Infection – Free Training Course
    The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) has shared information regarding a training course entitled ” […]

    US Government provides equipment for Belize to fight international criminals
    The United States (US) Government has donated over $400,000 USD worth of communication and boat […]

    Prime Minister Dean Barrow updates the nation on existing State of Emergency
    My Fellow Belizeans, I take this opportunity to update you on the most recent developments in our ongoing […]

    Hiding From A Pandemic In Paradise
    The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

    Status tool for COVID-19 Unemployment Relief online portal under repair
    On Tuesday, April 21, an additional tool was uploaded to the COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Program […]

    Blogs

    South Water Caye
    Just a 35-minute boat ride from Dangriga, South Water Caye is an idyllic escape in Southern Belize. The 15-acre coral island is found within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve (SWCMR), Belize’s largest marine reserve at 117,875 acres. Additionally, the SWCMR is one-sevenths of Belize’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Practically atop Belize’s barrier reef, South Water Caye has vast marine fauna, coral mounds, and vertical dive drops just minutes offshore. While its location makes it perfect for day trips from nearby coastal towns, South Water Caye’s quiet and peaceful atmosphere is best experienced for an overnight (or three).

    International Sourcesizz

    Here’s how the coronavirus could change supply chains
    The novel coronavirus pandemic is forcing factories around the world to slow or cease production. This reduced output is disrupting global supply chains that normally keep countries supplied with everything from medicine to garlic to socks. Part of the problem, economists say, is that today’s supply chains aren’t diversified enough. “There are a lot of choke points where production of certain goods is highly concentrated in one country, sometimes in one city or in one company, and that creates vulnerability,” says Geoffrey Gertz, a fellow in the Global Economy and Development program at the Brookings Institution. “We certainly see that with China. The pandemic is really driving home the need to invest more in supply-chain resiliency.”

    World Digital Library
    Check out the World Digital Library: thousands of books, documents and photographs available from all countries and cultures.

    China to prosecute Belize national for Hong Kong 'interference'
    A Belize national detained in China will be prosecuted on charges of colluding with foreign forces in protest-wracked Hong Kong and funding "hostile elements in the United States", Chinese authorities confirmed Friday. It follows a roundup of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, which last year was rocked by months of massive demonstrations and clashes with police.

    David Falcke gives a round-up of recent military activity
    n On 17 Mar 20, sappers deployed on Ex SAILFISH 20/1 conducted defence engagement with the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Light Engineer Company. 7 Tp’s Belizean national, Cpl Pinks, took the lead and taught a section of BDF light Engineers the principles and skills of basic field force protection. This skill was then put to practice as the BDF section along with three sappers from 33 AES completed a 200m type 1 concertina fence.

    The Caribbean Needs A “Differentiation” Plan
    For too long, many countries in the Caribbean have been content to tango solely with one fiscal partner – tourism. Sadly, COVID-19 has slammed dunked that dance partner and left it struggling to breathe, as many Caribbean nations now clamor for an economic ventilator to keep them breathing. It is very bad, no matter what some who say the region has bounced back from hurricanes and more, claim. Hurricanes cannot be compared to COVID-19 as no hurricane has ever taken a wrecking ball to an entire world or regional economy at once.

    Strengthening Caribbean Internet Capacity to Support Local Online Services
    The Caribbean needs more robust infrastructure to support the delivery of local online services during the COVID-19 pandemic and for crises to come. Public health and safety mandates, from social distancing and quarantines to stay-at-home orders and curfews, have confined an estimated one billion persons to their homes globally. The sudden restrictions on social movement have created a reliance on the Internet and technology-enabled services.

    Videos

  • WORLD BOOK and COPYRIGHT DAY, 2.5min. Today, Thursday, April 23rd is “World Book and Copyright Day”. The Belize Book Industry Association (BBIA) will share content from Belizean authors on Instagram @belizenationallibrary on the National Heritage Library account and also here o the Belize Writers Guild Facebook page. The following adddress is by BBIA President Felene Cayetano.

  • The Bottle, 1hr20min. The Bottle, the movie filmed entirely in Cayo, has been released on Youtube. It's a great art movie, and you'll see a lot of familiar faces and places. "A young writer, Jon, is in a creative rut and a three day drinking binge that is making him suicidal, his girlfriend Helen is desperately searching for him."

  • Walk in the Rainforest, Belize 2019, 3min.

  • Explore Belize Cayes in 1 Min, 1min. I hope you enjoy this quick video of the Belizean life.

  • Stay @ Home Concert with Sandy Bradshaw and Shanya Garnett, 1/2min. Musical treat for this weekend.Tune in! This Saturday 7:30pm.

  • Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow Updates the Nation on COVID-19 Response, 9min.

  • 5 recommendations for Netflix and YouTube Shows, 22min. Netflix and YouTube continue to provide great content that both entertain and educate. If you're looking to binge watch new shows Tomas Gongora shared his top five recommendations for Netflix and YouTube.

  • Earth Day - 50th celebration to recognize the importance of protecting the earth, 26min. Today is recognized as Earth Day. This is the 50th celebration of the day we pause to recognize the importance of protecting the earth and all it provides. The Placencia Ambition Forum also concludes today. The forum was held virtually to respect the social distancing in light of COVID-19. Carlos Fuller, International and Regional Liaison Officer at the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center talked with us about objectives of the forum. He also explained how COVID-19 has impacted the climate.

  • Belize National Teacher's Union - update on current union developments, 47min. Elena Smith, President of the Belize National Teacher's Union (BNTU) shared an update on current union developments.

  • Channel 5 Obituaries - BEATRICE ARJONILLA NEE BARDALEZ, 1.5min.

  • Mr. Lachman on Caye Caulker laks about Covid-19 situation, 1.5min. The COVID19 pandemic is raging all across the world, Many countries, including Belize, have been placed under a State of Emergency. As a result, many people have lost their source of income and their livelihoods, and are at the mercy of the state to provide food. Pre-Covid, Mr. Lachman was a day labourer. In this episode, he speaks candidly about the challenges he faces under the State of Emergency which has restricted his ability to earn a living.

  • Gerson is featured on The Belize Zoo's Bringing the Zoo to You series, 2min. To start off our “Bringing The Belize Zoo To You” program, we’ll be introducing you to our wonderful zookeepers who have been here every day during our temporary closure to care for our 200+ animals as they always do!

  • Volunteer Sports Coaching in Belize, 1min.

  • Loosing a Sailboat Rudder in a Remote Belize Atoll (Ep.110 Sailing w/the Litzenbergers), 14min. When you are sailing in remote locations the last thing you want is something major to go wrong. We are traveling with a buddy boat that just such a thing occurs. He looses his rudder. Luckily everyone in the anchorage is quick to jump in and lend a helping hand. The reward that night was VERY unexpected!

  • , 4min. Belize has some of the best diving in the world.

  • Belize: My dinosaurs or Iguanas battling gladiator style, 2.5min. Belize: Iguanas or Gorobos (Wishwilly) vicious fighting in wild

  • Belize- Carnival Cruise Altun Ha & Wildlife Riverboat Excursion, 7min. We took the Altun Ha ruins and wildlife river boat cruise with lunch excursion from carnival cruise in Belize! Join us on at our adventure to these ruins and join us for spectacular views!

  • Rastas of Belize, 10min. Cayo Film Festival

  • Webinar with Daryl and Ms Perlita - Belize, 35min.

  • Belize Tourism Information, 1.5min. Curious about traveling to Belize? Placencia, San Pedro, Amberdris, the Barrier reef, the Blue hole, he Maya temples, ... world class fishing and diving

  • Carsi Grants, Informational Session, 63min.

    April 23, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Gang members pledge to maintain the peace in Belize City after being released from prison
    After being locked down for a month, 137 gang members were released from the Belize Central Prison on Thursday, April 16th. They had been remanded as part of a State of Emergency prompted by a streak of violent murders in Belize City in March. Their release was made possible after they agreed to surrender their weapons to police and signed an agreement with the Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP) committing to keep the peace in the city.

    USA provides assistance to Belize to respond to COVID-19
    USA, via USAID, has committed USD$300K to support these priority areas for investment: infection prevention, case management and surveillance and rapid response in the battle against COVID-19.

    The Placencia Ambition Forum brings together major actors in the climate change
    The Government of Belize, in its capacity as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), hosted the Placencia Ambition Forum from April 20-22, 2020. The Placencia Ambition Forum brought together major actors in the climate change negotiations around the central theme of increasing ambition and safeguarding the Paris Agreement.

    Officials seeking to extend National State of Emergency through June
    The current National State of Emergency is due to expire at the end of the month, but now reports are that it could be extended for two more months. The state of emergency was triggered by the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the possible extension was announced by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., during Reef TV’s Morning Show on Wednesday, April 22nd (statement begins at minute 21 in video below). According to him, this will not be made official until it is discussed at the House of Representatives and the Senate before it is signed into law by the Governor General.

    Public Advisory from the Ministry of the Environment on fires and persistent burning
    With the high and unprecedented number of fires and persistent burning, the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development has enacted a set of new regulations cited as Environmental Protection (Prohibition of the Open-Burning of Refuse and Other Matter) Regulations via Statutory Instrument No. 59 of 2020 which comes into effect today, April 21, 2020.

    Cruise port to be built in Port Loyola by Waterloo Holdings valued at US$200 Million
    Waterloo Investment Holdings of the Ashcroft Alliance has announced plans to build a USD$200 Million cruise ship port facility at Port Loyola, which would be able to berth 4 Oasis class cruise ships, with 5000 passengers each. Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow first hinted at this development back in 2016. The project now awaits for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be approved. This will happen whenever the State of Emergency is lifted; at which time Waterloo Holdings would also prepare an Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP), and obtain the mining and dredging licenses to dredge 1.5 Million cubic metres of sediment to deepen the channel. This sediment would be used to reclaim the land, where the tourist village would be built.

    Ambergris Today

    United States Provides Assistance To Belize To Respond To COVID-19
    The United States Government has committed $300,000 U.S. dollars to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Belize. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing these funds to UNICEF-Belize. The United States, via USAID, is providing this life-saving support through coordination with the Government of Belize, international humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to support these priority areas for investment:

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    Unemployment Relief Program Status Check
    Have you applied for the Unemployment Relief Program and want to check the status of your application? Click the link to the left to see the terms of your application.

    Food Help on Caye Caulker
    Thank you Food Republic for cooking a day to feed our islanders. I want to thank everyone that participated in putting out our hot meals today. 306 plates went out! Glad we are able to help in this endeavor. We want to make sure everyone has food in their bellies! Are you or do you know someone that needs a meal. PM me. No questions asked. Together, We will get through this!

    Smoke in Santa Elena
    This is 6:30am in Santa Elena ! This is not fog but SMOKE! It’s been like this for weeks and getting getting progressively worse. Last night was especially difficult to sleep and even breathe. Going outside burns your eyes. It is impossible to keep the smoke out of the house even if you lock it up completely ...this is beyond ridiculous. Some people must be held accountable for putting the health of thousands of people in the Twin Towns, Benque Viejo and surrounding villages at risk. Today, I will call upon the Town Council and Police Department, Forestry Department and Belize Department of Environment to see if they can organize a multiagency response to this dangerous ongoing and worsening situation.

    The Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen
    We as a united community want to thank Andy Horton for collecting funds on behalf of The Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen. You have made a difference for many people that receive these hot meals 6 days a week! Thank you donors for your contributions. Share and like. Stay tuned for the official go fund me page for The Soup Kitchen! Much love.

    Caye Caulker Coronavirus (Non-emergency triage/ information) hotline
    600-9539.

    Global Giving: Building Community Fire Fighting Capacity
    Empowering communities in the Maya Golden Landscape through training, awareness and proper fire fighting resources are vital to prevent run-away fires. Ya’axché works with communities to implement climate-smart practices to protect forests and have sustainable livelihoods. Visit the following link to learn more about our current project and help us to build fire fighting communities in the Maya Golden Landscape, southern Belize.

    Items for Food Assistance Program (a two week supply of food)
    Each food basket should contain these listed items. The number of baskets depends on the number of household members.

    Placencia Ambition Forum
    The Placencia Ambition Forum brought together major actors in the climate change negotiations around a central theme of increasing ambition, and a focus on safeguarding the Paris Agreement. The Forum was hosted by the Government of Belize as the Chair of AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States. For more information and to view the recordings of the plenaries and sessions, visit https://www.aosis.org/about-placencia-ambition-forum/

    CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) & THE BELIZEAN CONTEXT
    The severity with which COVID-19 affects any country depends on the socio-economic and health conditions of that country. The impact that this pandemic will have on Belize will be determined by all the below factors.

    Belize Taxi Drivers Relief Fund
    To those that have visited the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye, I'm sure you have met and dealt with the wonderful people that live there. In particular, the taxi drivers that take you to all the restaurants, shopping, tourist venues...etc. A majority of the inhabitants of Ambergris Caye depend on the tourism industry for their livelihood. Due to travel bans resulting in no tourists, they are barely able to make ends meet and will be affected for at least a few more months. San Pedro and surrounding areas have been terribly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The United States Provides Assistance to Belize to Respond to COVID-19
    The United States Government has committed $300,000 U.S. dollars to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Belize. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing these funds to UNICEF-Belize. The United States, via USAID, is providing this life-saving support through coordination with the Government of Belize, international humanitarian partners, and other stakeholders to support these priority areas for investment:

    COVID-19 UPDATE
    This our data up until 3 pm today. We have 3 more patients officially recovered so that brings the total to 5, with 11 cases still considered as active. The 11 active cases are all recovering home as we don't have any patient hospitalized with COVID-19. Note that when you add the positive + negative cases you will get 6 less than the total of 816, the reason for this is because we had 6 cases who remained positive when they were re-swabbed and they aren't counted twice.

    Status Tool for COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Online Portal Under Repair
    On Tuesday, April 21st, an additional tool was uploaded to the COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Program online portal. This tool enables applicants to go online to check on the status of their application for financial relief. Many applicants have made use of this to check on their applications and, in large measure, it has been effective. However, a number of persons have mistakenly received a message indicating that their application does not meet the eligibility requirements. That message has been removed until its functionality can be corrected.

    Countrywide power outage this morning
    BEL has dispatched crews to conduct repairs to a transmission structure near San Estevan in the Orange Walk District, responsible for a countrywide power outage. Restoration of power supply to sections of the country will commence shortly. UPDATE: Power supply restored to portions Belize, Stann Creek and Orange Walk Districts and entire Corozal and Toledo Districts. Our teams continue to work on restoring power supply to the remaining sections of these districts as well as to the Cayo District and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

    COVID-19 "Check Your Payment Status" Form
    Click the link to the left to check on the status of your COVID-19 Payment:

    Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen for COVID19 relief
    It takes a village to feed a village, several volunteers and businesses have joined forces to serve meals to all those who are now without any income to provide a meal to themselves or their families. Being a tourist destination, Caye Caulker is feeling the economic effect of the global impact of Covid-19. Any assistance given to this feeding program would greatly be appreciated as the funds will be used to provide a meal to someone. We thank you in advance for any contribution made.

    Are you picking up a meal tomorrow (Thursday, 4/23) at the Happy Lobster on Caye Caulker?
    We would greatly appreciate it if you could bring a food container with you. Our goal is to provide as many meals as possible while stretching our donation dollars as far as they can go. Every bit helps and the use of reusable containers is good for our planet!

    BEL Intensifies Countrywide System Maintenance Program to Combat Impacts of Extended Drought
    The extended drought and seasonal dry weather conditions have been causing excessive dust build-up on BEL's power lines across the country, resulting in numerous electrical faults and sudden disruptions of electricity service to our customers. Frequent outages have also been occurring in various parts of the country due to bush fires which damage the base of the pole structures of our transmission and distribution lines. In most cases. the time required to replace the pole structures damaged by such faults and fires can last anywhere from 2 to 8 hours.

    TASTY CUTS COROZAL - LIVE CHICKENS FOR SALE - $1.00/LB this Friday 24th, April 2020
    Take 6th Street South down to San Andres Road. This is an effort to assist families in need and a collaboration between TastyCuts (Mr. Hairo and Ivan Valencia) and Mr. Johan, a Mennonite farmer of Little Belize. Place your order at 621-2581 or 630-9813.

    Kinich Ahau the representation of the sun
    The Sun is also link with the supreme God creator Hunab Itzamna . These days Kinich Ahau is making us feel his power with the heat .

    Channel 7

    State of Emergency To Be Extended For Two More Months
    Tonight there is some sense of ease among Belizeans.  We have gone 9 days without the report of a positive test, and while we await the latest test figures which had not been published at newstime, the trend has been encouraging - after it was reported last night that two of the 18 infected persons had recovered.   But, the government isn't about to relax. It is going to the House of Representatives and the Senate next week Monday and Tuesday to extend the State of Emergency for two more months! 7News has the house papers which state, quote, "recognizing that the period of public emergency shall expire at the end of day on the 30th day of April 2020.

    When Can Economy Start Warming Up Again?
    Before we had learned about the Government's plan to extend the State of Emergency by 2 months, we got a chance to speak this morning with Tracy Taegar-Panton, the Minister of State with responsibility for Investment, Trade, and Commerce. The press took that the opportunity to ask about a possible timeline for a return to normalcy. The Cabinet Minister was asked about when Belizeans could expect to see the Government maybe slightly re-opening the shuttered economy. She said that the country is maintaining this holding pattern for at least a few more weeks. Here's our conversation with her on that topic:

    Can GOB Push Cattle Through Bullet Tree?
    And one sector of the economy that's rearing to go is cattle export - but the western border backdoor has been effectively blocked by a village leader.   So, we also asked Minister Panton about the Government's plan to address the sudden halting of the cattle exportation between Belizean livestock producers and their Guatemalan customers. An informal trade route was established many years ago with the Cayo village of Bullet Tree as the transit point. But, for several weeks now, the Chairman of the Village Council has been preventing this trade, which generates over 40 million dollars annually in revenue.

    Fuel Prices Still Not Coming Down
    Last week we told you about pump prices for fuel - with word from the Financial Secretary Joe Waight that a sharp, even historic three dollar per gallon price decrease was coming any day now.  Well 6 days have come and gone since we spoke to the Fin. Sec. and there is still no letup in those pump prices.   And even though the new shipment is already landed and loaded up at the PUMA Depot, it seems the old and much more expensive stock is taking a long time to finish.  That's because the economy is at a virtual standstill and neither buses, nor company vehicles, nor personal vehicles are going anywhere

    Inside The Central Lab
    Almost every night on the news - we show you the COVID-19 infographic. It lists how many tests have been done, along with the number of negative and positive results, number of persons under investigation and more recently the number of recovered persons. But behind that tidy infographic are at least a dozen men and women working 24-7 to contain the spread by confirming active infections. And less than a month into Belize's first 21st. century pandemic, they're marking Medical Professionals Laboratory week while still bogged down in countless COVID investigations. This morning Cherisse Halsall went into the lab where these frontline workers are carrying out what is likely the most important work being done in 2020.

    COMPOL Say Deceased Roca's Family Needs To Look At Themselves
    So, police say they can prove they had no blame for any physical injury, and the officer who did wrong will face tribunal tomorrow. But, Commissioner Williams didn't end there. He went on to lambaste Roca's family for how they treated him - and claim that they should look at themselves in assessing blame for Roca's death: "Now what I have to say might may not sit well with some people but, I believe that fair is fair and we must call a spade a spade. There is much within the public domain to be said particularly about the police. Mr Roca have family members..."

    COMPOL Has Explanation For Rocca's Swollen Face
    And, Williams still didn't end there.  He went on to explain that police believe that there was actually no injury at all to Roca's jaw; it may have been caused by his advanced HIV infection. Jules Vasquez: "We know the post mortem found that he died from multiple organ failure consistent with HIV infection. Might the entire controversy about someone causing an injury that caused his face to be swollen be a misunderstanding of what was actually a manifestation of his HIV situation?"

    Coercive Cops Bering Querried For Dismissal
    In another police update, the Commissioner says his department will seek to expel the three officers involved in forcing a man and woman to have sex. Police formally arrested and charged Corporal Jason Shaw, countable Leslie Martinez and Constable Anthony Villamil for the crime of "Willful Oppression".  The officers have pleaded not guilty and are out on bail.  But, while that matter is in the courts, Williams says that their dismissal is being sought:

    Cops Caught After Curfew Cautioned By COMPOL
    Williams also commented on the two police officers we told you about last night who were charged for violating the curfew. They are constables Martinez and Roches, officers assigned to the northside, but were arrested by southside cops and taken to the precinct two station like any other detainee. That did not go down well with some who believe the police fraternity should provide protection against such humiliation.  The Commissioner is not one of them: "We have tried as best as we can not to discriminate in terms of how we enforce the state of emergency regulations..."

    Can Police Put Out The Fires?
    Williams also spoke about the new forestry regulations which call for no bush or clearing fires during the state of emergency.  It gives Police the power to enforce, we asked Williams if they are up to it: Jules Vasquez: "Police officers can act as the enforcement officers, not only forestry officers. Explain to me, we know it's a big problem in the Cayo district. How will the police department be working to enforce these new fire regulations during the state of emergency?"

    Teenagers Charged For Making Gang Videos
    Two men and five minors have been charged with the crimes of  Producing a Video Recording to Promote a Gang-Related Activity. It all started on Monday, April 20th, when 19-year old Jalen Babb along with three minors was charged for a facebook live video in which he wore gang colors and threatened those who were another colour.  Babb was also charged with the  Crime of being Unable to Provide a Reason for Movement Outside of Curfew.

    Minister On Port's Big Plan
    Last night on the news, we told you about the public unveiling of a major development upgrade that has been proposed for the Port of Belize. The Ashcroft-related company, Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited, has presented a 200 million US-dollar package to the Government of Belize for the Port's facelift, which would expand bulk handling and agricultural shipping capabilities. Also, Waterloo wants to build a cruise terminal on the Port's property. If it is given the necessary government clearances, this cruise port addition would become the country's second facility that is able to accommodate shore-side berthing of cruise ships.

    Indian Community Donates Food For Most Needy
    We spoke to Panton at a donation handover from the Indian Community.  The Belize Indian Community has decided to set aside 80,000 dollars in food packages to donate needy Belize City residents who aren't getting formal aid from the Government. They have decided to work with the Albert Division's Area Representative, the PUP Standard Bearer for the Albert Division, and the Belize City Council. The premise is that the area representative, her political rival, and the Mayor are able to identify the city residents who would benefit the most from this donation. This morning, the Indian Community's two past presidents, Dinesh Bojwani and Preeti Wadhwani, and the Arun Hotchandani, the Honorary Consul General of India, officially handed over the donations. 

    Corona Cases Spike In Chetumal, Mexico Declares Phase 3
    Mexico has entered what its government calls "Phase 3" of the spread of the coronavirus, the most serious stage, as transmission of the virus intensifies.  But what does that mean for Belize?  Well, we certainly have to closely watch our neighbor to the north with whom we share cultural and economic ties as well as an extremely porous border. Mexico has registered 857 coronavirus deaths and 9,501 infections, with 729 new cases reported today.

    Education Ministry Says Take Time Out From Testing
    Today on Ask the Experts, the focus was education - one of the sectors most affected by the COVID shutdown.   School have been shut down since Friday March 20, and - one month in - the focus is on distance learning - how to give meaningful instruction to thousands of students who are at home. Today, the Deputy Chief Education Officer stressed that distance learning does not mean distance testing for pre and primary school students:

    No Plan For CSEC, Yet
    And so what about C-SEC and CAPE examinations - is the ministry also ignoring those assessments? Well, the fact is that with the entire region more or less on lockdown, the Caribbean Examinations Council has not yet settled on a tight testing timeline, and right now Deputy Smith says it's wait and see: Host "Is the MOE saying that no matter what strategy CXC gives, Belize will not participate in those examinations for this academic year."

    Radio Education
    And, right now the ministry is working feverishly to put out some distance learning radio shows for pre and primary schoolers. The hosts are regular teachers who are figuring it out as they go along. It's a work in progress, but Smith says it should be ready for Monday:

    The Other Way Of Renewing Your Driver's License
    If you're a driver who is licensed with the Belize City Council, and your license is about to expire, you'll have to make use of the Council's online portal for renewal. It's their solution for this important service, given that the State of Emergency regulations prevent them from opening up for business during this COVID-19 threat. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner says that the service is solid, and the renewal steps are straightforward. It was set up that way to make the process as simple as possible, but the Mayor concedes that it is not a perfect solution since online access isn't something that all Belizeans enjoy.

    CITCO Employees Working Hard For Half Pay
    Even though the City Council is observing the State of Emergency regulations by not opening for business, the Mayor says that a few of its key departments that provide essential services are still operating. Here's what he had to say about those departments and the employees who have to settle for half-pay during the COVID-19 crisis:

    Police Aggressively Investigating San Martin Police Abuse
    Earlier in the month, we told you about the severe police beatdown of an elderly San Martin landlord. Belmopan residents will remember the incident as it led to widespread reports of after curfew gunshots ringing out. 78-year-old Alejandro Chavez later reported that police used undue force against him.

    Cops Beat Up Man Caught After Curfew
    In another internal investigation, Cayo Resident Gilbardo Velasquez was roughed up after police detained him for violating the curfew.

    Farewell For A Holy Man
    The Funeral service was held today for Roman Catholic Bishop Emeritus of Belize, Bishop Dorick Wright.  And this morning mobile funeral procession began at 8.30 from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital morgue. The procession passed several Churches over Belize City ending with a Funeral Mass at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral at 10.

    Channel 5

    ComPol Williams Says Ulysease Roca Died of HIV Complications
    Tonight there is more on the death of fashion designer Ulysease Roca, who was determined to have died from multiple organ failure. The HIV patient was found dead in his [...]

    Police Constable Charged for Videoing Ulysease Roca
    A number of police officers have come under fire for their brutish behavior and abuses against citizens.  As for the officer who videoed and ridiculed Roca while he was in [...]

    National AIDS Commission Chair Disturbed by Case of Ulysease Roca
    Just prior to the interview with the ComPol, Chair of the National AIDS Commission, Laura Longsworth-Tucker said that she was devastated on how the case of Ulysease Roca evolved over [...]

    Chester Williams Holds the Fate of 3 Police Officers
    Jason Shaw, Leslie Martinez, and Anthony Villamil have been charged and arraigned for the crime of Willful Oppression. The trio is accused of forcing a man and a mentally challenged [...]

    Special Sitting of the House to Discuss Extension of State of Emergency
    A Special Sitting of the House of Representatives is being called for April twenty-seventy. But unlike past meetings of the House, Monday’s sitting will be only by quorum, which means [...]

    Bishop Wright is Laid to Rest at Holy Redeemer Cathedral
    At eight o’clock this morning, the remains of Bishop Dorick Wright were removed from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for its final farewell. The seventy-four-year-old bishop died last week and [...]

    Uncertainty About Reopening of the Economy
    The Ministry of Health has not reported any new cases of COVID-19. But while that is encouraging news, the government will be extending the state of emergency up until the [...]

    Cabinet Investment Subcommittee Reviewing Port Expansion Projects
    Minister of Investment, Trade and Commerce, Tracy Panton today confirmed that the cabinet Subcommittee for Investment is reviewing two proposed projects linked to the expansion of the Port of Belize [...]

    Johnny Briceño Remains Co-chair of National Oversight Committee
    On April eighth, Holy Saturday, Opposition Leader John Briceño appeared in a recorded statement during which he chided government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.  Briceño is co-chair of the National [...]

    Police Officers and Coast Guard Members Charged for Breaching Curfew Regulations
    Six law enforcement officers have been charged for being in breach of the curfew regulations. Two police constables appeared before a magistrate on Tuesday; they were arraigned and given bail. [...]

    Cpl. Eldon Arzu Vs Chester Williams, Again
    The Belize Police Association’s President, Corporal Eldon Arzu and Commissioner of Police Chester Williams are at it again. Arzu and Williams are said to have a strained relationship and have even [...]

    An Update into the Vicious Beating of Elderly Man
    But police officers are yet to be held criminally charged for the vicious beating put on Alejandro Chavez, a seventy-seven-year-old resident of the San Martin community in Belmopan. The incident [...]

    San Ignacio Police Officer Charged with Harm
    Meanwhile, in San Ignacio, two police officers were held accountable for using excessive force on Gilbardo Velasquez. Velasquez was detained for breaching curfew regulations on April nineteenth.  A video of [...]

    How’s Belize CitCo Coping with COVID-19?
    The Belize City Council, like other municipal governments around the country, has been feeling the effects of COVID-19 pandemic. One of its employees, Hubert Pipersburgh was the fourth person to [...]

    City Hall Services Available Online
    Even as City Hall has closed its doors for now because of the state of emergency, there are a number of essential services being provided, including sanitation and market vending. [...]

    MOE Re-Emphasizes Response and Action for Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary Schools
    Deputy Chief Education Officer Cecilia Ramirez Smith was the featured guest on today’s Ask the Experts Webcast.  Students are at home doing home-based learning and so the Ministry of Education [...]

    MOE Says School Work During SOE Not Meant to be Assessed for Grades
    And continuing on the matter of education, Cecilia Ramirez Smith says that the lessons and work being given to students from the pre-primary, to high school levels must not be [...]

    Teachers Licenses Continue to Process!
    While that information is for the students, there is also some news tonight for the teachers. Cecilia Ramirez Smith of the Ministry of Education announced that the processing of teachers [...]

    MOE Offers Online Resources for Teachers
    …and while the ministry has called on teachers to play a critical role during this time that classes remain closed, today Cecilia Ramirez Smith says that they are also making [...]

    The Belize Indian Community Providing 2000 Food Packages to be Distributed Across the City
    The latest organization to reach out to persons affected by the COVID-19 is the Belize Indian Community. Today, they delivered vouchers to be issued to persons who are eligible to [...]

    Methodist Church, Belize Honduras District Benefits from Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 Relief Fund
    Ensuring that affected persons are fed during the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority. Government, N.G.O.s, the private sector as well as the religious community have been engaged in food distribution. [...]

    April 15th Plastic Importation Stopped!
    On April fifteenth, the importation of single-use plastics and styrofoam into Belize stopped and in three months time, local manufacturers will also stop production of these items as the country [...]

    Belize Remains on Schedule to Phase Out Plastics!
    Doctor Percival Cho outlined that while the current state of emergency has caused a hold-up for some of the work needed to be done, Belize is still expected to meet [...]

    Placencia Ambition Forum Concludes; PM Barrow the Alliance of Small Island States
    The third and final day of the Placencia Ambition Forum concluded today. The Government of Belize hosted the three-day forum which brought together the Alliance of Small Island States, via [...]

    COVID-19 Magnifies Importance of Climate Change
    According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, COVID-19 magnifies the importance of key island priorities for the global climate change agenda.   Prime Minister Dean Barrow “If left to the Small [...]

    The Reporter

    St. Margaret Feeding Program
    In the midst of the uncertainty and economic devastation of the Coronavirus pandemic, stories have surfaced which reveal the goodness in the hearts of many. At St. Margaret Mary RC School on the Hummingbird Highway, a feeding program sponsored by Compassionate Hearts which provides a meal to 90 students every day has survived the closing of schools. Since the closing, Compassionate Hearts, through James and Lorrie Pitre, have been providing support in the form of food items to the families of the students in the St. Margaret Feeding Program and continue to do so.

    Human Rights Commission of Belize calls for full investigation into police wrongdoings
    The recent death of Ulyses Terry has prompted the Human Rights Commission of Belize to call for a full investigation into police wrongdoings. "We implore the Ministry of National Security and the Commissioner of Police to act swiftly in their investigations and remove those officers found to be in contravention of their duties. We call on them to make the findings of these investigations public. Only so, will confidence be regained in our authorities. "

    Tutors for Secondary Students
    A group of seven undergraduate students at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and one undergraduate alumnus from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, will be tutoring secondary school students in Belize affected by the continued COVID-19 school closures. All program costs and expenses will be fully covered by the eight tutors and Sea Alms, a small spa and skincare company recently formed in Belmopan. No Belizean student or family will incur any expense for this tutoring program.

    LOVE FM

    Drought predicted to affect Belize this year again
    As dryer weather prevails this year there has already been talk of another drought impacting Belize. Last year several sectors were impacted by this phenomenon which has not only created severe losses but also an opportunity for several agencies to work at mitigating the impacts.

    Coast Guard officers arrested
    Six members of the Ministry of National Security were arrested and charged for violating curfew regulations. Two police officers were arrested and charged on Monday night whilst off-duty.

    Communities in the Cayo district adopt a bartering system to help relieve the impacts of COVID-19
    Farming communities in Cayo South have reverted back to the days of bartering and have started a trading initiative amongst themselves with the aim to assist each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative began after a meeting between the village chairpersons and the Area Representative for Cayo South, Julius Espat.

    Harvard undergrads to tutor Belizean students
    The COVID-19 pandemic has caused plenty of damage to world economies, and to families who have lost loved ones to the virus. However, in many instances, it has also caused communities to come together to assist those in need.

    Belize City gang members arrested
    A situation of gang rivalry was captured over social media recently where several young men were arrested and charged for producing a video recording to promote gang related activity. 19-year-old Jalen Babb was additionally charged for the offense of “ Unable to Provide a Reason for Movement Outside of Curfew”.

    No response yet for cattle farmers
    Farmers in the north are growing more anxious as they have not received any response to the dilemma they are faced with when it comes to cattle exports. We have been reporting that the chairman of Bullet Tree Village, Sabino Pinelo, is allegedly implementing a fee for them to pass through the village to export their cattle to Guatemala.

    Philip Willoughby claims harassment by political rival
    Political rivalry is looming at the Port Loyola constituency between the People’s United Party and United Democratic Party Standard Bearers. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UDP Standard Bearer is reportedly being attacked via social media by his opponent, Gilroy Usher.

    Cultural Sector takes a hit due to COVID-19
    On Monday, April 20 the SICA representatives from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize met online to discuss the Effects of COVID-19 on the Region's Cultural Sector. Sapna Budhrani, President of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), attended the meeting. In speaking with her, she explained that the cultural sector in Belize has been impacted significantly by COVID-19.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Nationwide blackout caused by damaged transmission structure in Orange Walk
    Belizeans countrywide – except for the island of Caye Caulker which is not connected to […]

    Three more persons recover from COVID-19
    The Government of Belize Press Office has indicated that another three persons recovered from COVID-19. […]

    Today marks the 50th celebration of Earth Day
    Environmental organizations and the people that support them all over the world are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day […]

    United States Government donates $600,000 to help Belize battle COVID-19
    The United States Embassy announced today that the US Government has committed US $300,000 to […]

    Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 relief fund donates $60,000 to Methodist church
    The Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 relief fund donated $60,000 to the Belize Methodist Church. The Methodist […]

    University of Belize targets August reopening
    University of Belize President Dr. Clement Sankat, citing continued “uncertain times” has announced a reorganization […]

    Human Rights Commission of Belize lashes out against police abuse
    On Sunday Ulysease Roca was found dead inside his home in Willows Bank, Belize District. […]

    Ministry of Education to provide training support for teachers
    Today, the Deputy CEO in the Ministry of Education, Cecilia Smith informed that the Ministry […]

    MOE: ‘Resource activities are to keep students engaged; not to assess them’
    On the Ask the Experts show today, Deputy CEO in the Ministry of Education, Cecilia […]

    Secondary schools to develop and implement continuity plan
    Deputy CEO in the Ministry of Education, Cecilia Smith informed on the Ask the Experts […]

    Harvard students to provide free tutoring to Belizean students
    A group of seven undergraduate students at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and one undergraduate […]

    Blogs

    Bring Belize’s Outdoors Home
    As wellness trends go, ‘forest bathing’ and ‘outdoor therapy’ are two of our favorites. Being outdoors is proven to improve both mental and physical well-being. In Belize, nature connects us all. Whether it’s a soothing sea breeze, the prospect of seeing a majestic jaguar in the wild, or appreciation of local produce from a farmer’s market. Ironically, as we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and are urged to stay at home, opportunities to spend time in the outdoors is limited. But according to experts at Forbes, there are still plenty of ways to engage in outdoor therapy – we just need to get creative. Whether you have your own garden, veranda, or just access to a farmer’s market, you can bring the stress-relieving Belizean outdoor experience home.

    Take Virtual Vacation Or Get COVID-19 and Grocery Information
    Many of us are going through tough times in surviving COVID-19 on Ambergris Caye Belize. And tough times call for creative measures. Over the years I have been so grateful for the support of my readers not only with wonderful testimonials about my blog but with my charities as well. Many donated to Hope Haven during my last COVID-19 news and outreach. And even more, people used the Flight Code For a Cause (until flights stopped) which not only helped the Cancer Center with a monthly donation but also sustained my blog. With zero passenger flights right now that means a big freefall into the abyss for me, along with many other people I know.

    International Sourcesizz

    Reasons The Cruise Business Should Go To The Bottom
    Interesting article for Earth Day. This article points out why cruises are the probably the worst thing for Belize. Worth a read.
    Before Coronavirus totally cratered the entire industry, cruise tourism had been on the rise for the past decade with more and more millennials warming to the idea of spending enough money to buy and legally murder a sea turtle for the privilege of playing shuffleboard on the piss-washed decks of a smog-farting leviathan adrift like a lost icebreaker two days before cannibalism sets in. But before Washington D.C. decides to bail out an industry that doesn't pay U.S. income tax, the following facts should give just about everybody not named Mr. Carnival pause.

    Florida aquarium makes breakthrough discovery that could save dying coral reefs
    Scientists at the aquarium in Tampa successfully reproduced cactus coral for the first time in human care, using coral rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and NOAA Fisheries. The scientists are aiming to learn more about coral reproduction in the hopes of replenishing reefs in the state that have experienced a disease outbreak since 2014. They have learned for the first time about when ridged cactus coral reproduce and what the babies look like. Previously, not much was known about the ridged cactus coral’s reproduction as no photos, videos or studies existed before the Florida Aquarium’s success.

    Caymans, With Too Many, Will Sell COVID Test Kits
    The Government of the Cayman Islands is prepared to sell up to half of its COVID-19 tests to other countries in the region. Speaking during a recent press briefing, Premier Alden McLaughlin said the territory’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. John Lee had advised that 100,000 kits would be enough for the population. The territory initially procured 200,000 tests – although only 165,000 of those have arrived, with the remainder being kept in the UK.

    CARIBBEAN ISLANDS MAY BE FACING DEBT CRISIS. SEE WHO’S ON THE LIST
    new report predicts that some Caribbean countries are headed for a debt crisis. S&P Global Ratings says islands like Barbados, Belize and The Bahamas are on the list. These three territories are some of the most exposed to the sudden stop in global tourism due to the coronavirus pandemic. After decade-long borrowing sprees, these countries are also staring down big bond payments, raising concern over how the Caribbean region can repay its debt.

    Videos

  • Bishop Dorick Wright's funeral live, min.

  • Interview with Peter Lawrence on the COVID-19 situation, Who Let the Dawgs Out on ReefTV, 1hr23min.

  • Wednesday's "Ask the Experts", min. Joining us are Mrs. Cecilia Smith, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

  • Police and Jesus Loves Me! - At the gas station! - Belize, 3min.

  • Cool video from the FCD Environmental Youth Group, 2min. With support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, a mentoring program was started by FCD titled, “Protecting Planet Earth – Mentoring Young Minds to Care.” In Belize the mentoring was done by members of the FCD Environmental Youth Group, while in Guatemala the activity was run by members of Todos Por Un Mundo Verde. This video is a recap of the mentoring program conducted in March with children from Belize and Guatemala.

  • Color Blind Multimedia Productions has a virtual book club going, 19min. Reading can relax your mind, teach you new things, distract you from the COVID19 stresses, and it expands your imagination! Reading is almost effortless – unless your prescription glasses go missing! In today’s edition of CB Book Club, we welcome another Belizean writer, Ms. Sayu Bhojwani, author of 'People Like Us'.

  • The Culture of Peace is such an amazing initiative, 4min. Cultural Unity through the Arts, as we maintain our social distance our artists,keep growing an maintaining their creativity using the media source, a positive message for this and every day,promoting a Culture of Peace 2020!

  • MAYA 4K - A Magical World - by Martin Engelmann, 11min. This short film shows the beauty of the Mayan World in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. The journey begins in the caves of Belize, known as the underworld "Actun Tunichil Muknal", and leads outside to the most beautiful rainforest of Chiapas in Mexico. At the end you will reach the highlands of Guatemala, with a view to an eruption of active Vulcan Fuego. The film is without music, but contains original sound from caves and rainforest. This film is part of the 2020 Maya Exhibition at MAMUZ Museum Austria. In the next years the Exhibition will move to some places in the United States and Canada.

  • Belize - Placencia, 11min.

  • Belize Cayo District, 13min.

  • The Salvation Army Belize District Home League April 22, 2020, 45min.

  • November 19th parade in Dangriga Belize, 14min.

  • How to make sushi roll at home by Jyoto Belize, 9min.

  • Summer Trip to Belize, 12min. Secret Beach and Lamanai

  • Harvest Caye, Belize in 3 minutes, 3min. We visited Harvest Caye, Belize it was unBelizeble. Enjoy,,

  • Sports Lab | Special Home Edition, 60min.

  • The Covid 19 is effecting every Belizean, 7min. This Maya lady from the district of Corozal share her experience in the Yucatec Maya language . Please if you can help others in this moments please do so .

  • WHO Director-General's opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 22 April 2020, 1hr25min.

    April 22, 2020


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    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Belize’s Head of State, Queen Elizabeth II, turns 94
    Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland turned 94 years old on Tuesday, April 21st. As Head of the Commonwealth, which Belize is a part of, the Queen is Belize’s official Head of State, represented by Governor General Sir Colville Young. The reign of Her Majesty began in February 1952, when she was 26 years old. She was notified of her father’s death, King George VI, while in Kenya, Africa. The Queen and her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh had been touring Australia and New Zealand via Kenya when the tragedy occurred. A year later, she was officially crowned and today she is on record as the longest ruling British Monarch.

    Lebanese business community donates motorcycle to San Pedro Police
    The San Pedro Police Formation was the recipient of a Jiyo Brand, 125 cc engine motorcycle courtesy of the Lebanese business community on the island. The donation took place on Tuesday, April 21st, outside of the police station. On behalf of the island’s Lebanese entrepreneurs, Ayman Harmouch, alongside Deputy Mayor Gabriel ‘Gaby’ Nuñez, officially handed over the motorcycle to Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker), Superintendent Christopher Noble.

    MOH confirms two recovered COVID-19 patients in Belize
    Almost a month after Belize registered its first two cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), on Tuesday, April 21st, the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health (MOH), Dr. Marvin Manzanero announced that two patients have fully recovered after testing negative for a second time. The first two patients that tested positive include a mother and daughter from Ambergris Caye. They were diagnosed with the deadly virus on the 23rd and 25th of March respectively, isolating the island from the mainland via a mandatory lockdown. The patients, however, did not develop major symptoms and were not hospitalized during their time of quarantine and observation.

    Ambergris Today

    Motorcycle Donated to San Pedro Police Department
    In a brief handing over, a member of the Lebanese business community on Ambergris Caye donated a Jiyo brand, 125 cubic centimeter engine motorcycle to the San Pedro Police Formation.

    BSI collaborates with women’s groups to provide facemasks
    On the heels of the announcement by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, encouraging the use of face masks, Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSI), a member of ASR Group, started the distribution of locally made face masks to stakeholders—cane cutters, truck drivers, farmers, and harvesting group leaders. BSI secured and provided the materials for fabrication of more than 5,400 facemasks to women’s groups linked to cane farmer associations from the Orange Walk and Corozal districts. The women began the mass production more than a week ago after BSI’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department approved a sample based on CDC guidelines for non-medical masks to be effective at trapping droplets from speaking, coughing and/or sneezing.

    Update on Unemployment Relief Program
    As of April 20, 2020, a total of 72,213 applications have been submitted since the Unemployment Relief Program was opened to accept applications on April 3, 2020. This includes some of the applications submitted via hard copy, which have begun to be entered into the online portal. So far, 32,916 applications have been approved for payment to applicants. These include 7,106 that were approved on April 20th and have been forwarded to the Social Security Board (SSB) for processing.

    San Pedro High School not reopening as scheduled
    NOTICE FROM SAN PEDRO HIGH SCHOOL TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS - SPHS would like to inform parents that due to COVID-19 and the state of emergency placed on the entire country classes will not resume on Monday, April 20 as was previously scheduled. We will update you once Ministry of Education has sent us the information regarding classes. In the meantime, we would also like to ask parents to please ensure students are doing work posted on Teams and Cloud schools.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    FREE ServSafe Food Handler Online Course
    From BHA: In these difficult times with COVID-19 affecting so many of us, we are committed to support our Industry. The ServSafe and the American National Restaurant Association are offering a FREE ServSafe Food Handler course and exam. Get the essential training every restaurant and food-service worker needs to keep guests and themselves safe for FREE!

    Belize Nominated for Best Destination in Conde Nast Traveler's 2020
    Belize has been nominated for Best Destination in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers Choice Award! Share what you love about Belize by completing the survey and casting your vote. You can cast your vote for Belize here: https://www.cntraveler.com/rca/vote- Select "Vote" on the "Countries" Tab and complete details.

    Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry – Resumption of Services via Email
    Further to the press release dated April 5, 2020 the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry informs the public that effective today, April 20th, its office resumes services via email only. The public is reminded of the following: 1. Scanned copies of applications for business names, company incorporation documents, registration of Limited Liability Partnerships and filings (annual returns, notices, etc.) should be sent via email to [email protected]. Note that applicants will be required to submit filings in original format once normal services resume.

    The Vaca Forest Reserve is on fire
    At FCD we believe that educating farmers is essential but law enforcement is necessary too.

    Tuesday the Queen of Belize and England Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II turned 94
    She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch. She is the longest-serving female head of state in world history, and the world's oldest living monarch, longest-reigning current monarch, and oldest and longest-serving current head of state. A few pictures one of which shows her in Belize on her last visit to the Jewel.

    Sacred Heart College is getting ready for online classes
    Looks like online is the way to go from now on... Greetings everyone, Kindly be informed, that SHC Administrative team, will meet this Wednesday to charter our way forward. Distance Learning Class sessions for students resume on Monday, April 27th, 2020. Teachers will contact their classes during this week, using the different means of communication. If your child had, and still have difficulty getting the material from teachers, kindly let us know how we can assist by emailing at: [email protected] or whatsapp at 671 3325 ...

    Sacred Heart College Student Application Form
    Application for Admission: Applications can be Scan and submitted through WhatsApp or email Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. WhatsApp: 671 3325.

    Ak Ki'ichkelem Yuumstil Itzamnaj
    (Our beautiful father Itzamna) continue protecting and enligthing our beautiful Belize . Ak Yuumstil Itzamnaj is the creator of the universe . Itzamná represents wisdom and the transfer of knowledge. His wisdom is symbolized by his typical depiction as an old man. One important theme that runs through the tales of Itzamná is creation and invention; Itzamna creates processes and systems that can only be described as logical, methodical, and in some cases, scientific.

    Belize Represented in CECC-SICA Meeting to Discuss the Effects of COVID-19 on the Region's Cultural Sector
    On Monday, 20 April 2020, there was an Extraordinary Online Meeting of the Council of Ministers of The Central American Education and Culture Coordination (CECC/SICA). Representatives from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Belize discussed the general situation in their country and actions that the cultural sectors are carrying out in the framework of the general situation of the country on matters of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Belize National Festival Of Arts
    Festival of Arts 2020 goes virtual under the theme "Creative Resilience - Social Media is My Stage

    Generous gesture of Chung Fu Bakery
    Several reports had reach our news room of the generous gesture of the Taiwanese owned Chung Fu Bakery in Belmopan. Our team understand that the bakery is giving away 30 bread each day at 1p.m from Monday to Friday to those that need food assistance. Kudos to this bakery for this kind gesture. Thank You Chung Fu Bakery for assisting the people of Belize.

    Shooting incident on Calla Creek Road
    On Monday, April 20th, 2020, at about 7:21 p.m., Police responded to a report on Calla Creek Road, Cayo District. Upon arrival, they observed Rafael Vasquez, 50-year-old, Belizean Farmer of Calla Creek Village, Cayo District with gunshot injuries to the body. Initial investigations revealed that Vasquez was alone at his farm on the Calla Creek/Santa Rosa Road when he was approached by a man who asked him if he could take him to the back road that leads into Guatemala. Vasquez reportedly told the individual that he does not know the road. And as a result, the assailant took out a firearm and fired shots at Vasquez causing his injuries.

    Motorcycle Donated to San Pedro Police Department
    In a brief handing over, a member of the Lebanese business community on Ambergris Caye donated a Jiyo brand, 125 cubic centimeter engine motorcycle to the San Pedro Police Formation. The donation was secured through Malak Harmouch, proprietor of Local Hardware Store in San Pedro Town. At hand to receive the donation was the Officer In Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit of the Belize Police Department, Superintended of Police Christopher Noble.

    Public Advisory from the Ministry of the Environment
    With the high and unprecedented number of fires and persistent burning, the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development has enacted a set of new regulations cited as Environmental Protection (Prohibition of the Open-Burning of Refuse and Other Matter) Regulations via Statutory Instrument No. 59 of 2020 which comes into effect today, April 21, 2020. This new regulation prohibits burning of bush, milpa, agricultural fields, pasture, grass, or any type of vegetation during the state of emergency. It also prohibits the open burning of household and yard waste.

    WORLD BOOK and COPYRIGHT DAY
    Thursday, April 23rd is “World Book and Copyright Day”. The Belize Book Industry Association (BBIA) will share content from Belizean authors on both Facebook and Instagram. Either Belizean authors who are published or preparing to publish will read a snippet from their scripts on Instagram @belizenationallibrary on the National Heritage Library account and on the Belize Writers Guild Facebook page.

    The PUP Supports our Agro-Productive Sector
    The People's United Party has put out a press release with heading stating that the party is in support of focusing more attention on the Agro-productive Sector. This release is important as it relates directly to Belize Rural South, mainly Caye Caulker and San Pedro. The underlying issue here is that of food security and scarcity. We are now seeing that for many years, tourism has been sustaining the economy of Belize. We feel that our present leaders have not and should now diversify and look into other efficient ways that not only fuels the economy, but also will release some pressure off the Tourism Sector that has been fueling the economy .

    An Update from the NEMO Supplies and Relief Committee
    In accordance with the Department of Human Development and Social Services, as of April 21, we have assessed 1,844 families, 1,713 of which have received food supplies and groceries. We currently have 324 families on the list waiting to be assessed. Please help us extend our gratitude towards the Lord Ashcroft Covid-19 Relief Fund for their much appreciated contribution to the people of Belize. We are proud to be a part of this journey in assisting the community directly, and hope you enjoy this video of gratitude.

    Stay at Home DJ Challenge
    The finals for the Stay at Home DJ Challenge are this Friday at 8:00pm. Shared: http://bit.ly/CayoCal . DJ Iconic is in the running.

    Belize Fire Map
    This Forest Department map showing fire points across the country in one day is indicating that this fire season is shaping up to be quite busy. Many of these are occuring in or around protected areas. PACT and protected area co-managers annually support fire management in our protected forests via fire management plans, equipment, training, surveillance, and community fire brigades. Climate and unsustainable agricultural practices are among the top drivers of wildfires, which result in biodiversity loss and hazard to human health.

    Statement: Ulysease Roca Terry
    The National AIDS Commission, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, and the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation are extremely saddened by the death of Mr. Ulysease Roca Terry and join the nation in mourning his untimely passing. Undoubtedly, of all the health and human service challenges we face amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, perhaps the most devastating and, ironically, the most preventable is the stigma, bullying, violence, and discrimination that has been sweeping across our nation. Such injustices have manifested themselves in the form of police brutality, hate posts on social media, and the indifferences directed towards frontline workers and persons with COVID-19, just to name a few.

    Channel 7

    And then there Was 16! 2 COVID-19 Patients Recovered
    Belize now has 16 confirmed COVID cases on record. Up until yesterday it was 18, but today on "Ask the Experts", the Director of Health Services confirmed that one patient - he wouldn't say which one - has twice tested negative and is now classed as fully recovered. And then, information posted by the Ministry half an hour ago shows that a second patient is also classified as fully recovered. Here is Dr. Manzanero speaking at 1:00 this afternoon when there was only one fully recovered patient:

    14 Remaining Patients Are Good
    Dr. Manzanero also gave a review of all 16 surviving patients - only one of whom remains hospitalized. "In terms of patients hospitalized one of the patients went home on Friday, so we only have 1 patient hospitalized currently in the Western health region and in terms of quarantine you will recall that we have a full list of people who was on quarantine..."

    Nigel's Negative Test
    And, Nigel Espat who is patient #6 seems to be doing more than very well. In fact, he looks excellent in these pictures which his wife posted of him celebrating two milestones: his first negative COVID-19 test and his daughter's 10th Birthday. And Despite DHS Manzanero's refusal to confirm which patient has been classified as recovered, it looks like patient #6 is well on his way to a full recovery.

    Lining Up For Unemployment Relief Cards
    And while the lucky among us may evade the virus altogether, we'll certainly all be touched by its devastating economic impact. The applicants for the Unemployment Relief Program know that all too well. The close to 40 thousand who are awaiting their $100 dollars, whether by direct deposit or prepaid card, continue to wait for notice of incoming social assistance. That wait came to an end for some Belize City residents today but only after another long wait in front of the Social Security Board. Cherisse Halsall found that for once, these folks weren't too unhappy to wait in line.

    Smoke Smothers Cayo District
    For the past few days, we've been telling you about the polluted air that is smothering Cayo district residents. They complain that there are still people setting bonfires, in open defiance of the Ministry of Environment's public demands to stop. All that smoke from those fires is sitting over major communities, polluting the air. Today, NASA detected 190 fires via satellite; that is up from 181 yesterday. Air quality tests done in Belmopan early this morning, show particles in the air metering at 198 - which is in the unhealthy range. Apart from being unhealthy, the public health worry is that the smoke could make residents more susceptible to the coronavirus.

    Unibam on Ulysease
    Last night we told you about 25-year-old Ulysease Roca. He's the Willows Bank resident, who was found dead in his family home on Sunday. Roca was a gay Belizean and an HIV positive patient, and faced an unfortunate reality included being ridiculed and shunned for his sexuality and his illness. But, after being picked up by police for breaking the 8 p.m. curfew 2 weeks ago, a police officer recorded a video of Roca on a personal cellular phone, where Roca was depicted as a sort of homeless degenerate. That video was leaked, and it went viral on social media.

    PM/s Wife & NAC Demand Rights For Roca
    The National AIDS Commission and the Special Envoy for Women and children also joined the Mental Health Association and the gay rights groups in their call for a thorough investigation into Roca's case. In a joint statement, the National AIDS Commission, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, and the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation say that they are quote, "The alleged physical violence against Mr. Roca Terry by law enforcement officers is unacceptable, a gross violation of human rights, and must be vehemently condemned.

    Manzanero: Cayman Tests Not Ideal
    Returning now to more COVID-19 update from today's ask the experts session. DHS Manzanero discussed the status with testing, recapping the 170 negative tests in a week, he spoke generally about the availability of supplies for the coming weeks of the COVID response, and the fact that the kits from Cayman might not be an ideal fit. "We have done close to 170 tests over the last 6 days. Some days you have a bigger batch going in. I do have to stress that we are, like we had said, we are anticipating that the swabs that we use for doing the testing, and the enzymes that are needed for the testing..."

    Options For Expanding Testing
    And now that 785 tests have been done, with 767 of them negative - the question is where will the testing go next Mananero said this is under discussion: "We are reviewing with the team how we are going to expand our testing because one of the reasons why you also have less people being swabbed, is people are having less and less flu like symptoms, or at least they are not showing up in health facilities..."

    Who Else To Test?
    And, after those tertiary contacts, Manzanero says it's not quite clear who else they should test - since the regular flu season ended in March: "If you had said we would start doing wider testing, why are the numbers of tests in the infographic not reflecting that?" "Well I have said that we were going to go out and routinely be looking for all respiratory illnesses and doing random testing and testing healthcare workers. That has happened..."

    Manza: Blanket Testing For Gen. Population Not Realistic
    Now, most regular folks, would just say, don't worry about symptoms; just do blanket testing of as much of the population as possible. Manzanero said today that is not feasible: "Will countrywide random testing be carried out countrywide to identify positive that are asymptomatic. We are reviewing that case definition. Of course as I've said we are not in a position to test everybody in the country..."

    The Clusters Are Quiet
    And while the front-line workers are negative, so are most of those in the clusters of community spread in Belize, Corozal and Cayo. "Remember is 14 days for the initial lockdown for the Cayo area. Doesn't seem to be any active cluster happening there. We are not seeing symptomatic patients at least..."

    No COVID Curve In Belize, Yet
    So, there have not been any positive samples taken since last week Sunday, and those results were released on Monday. So, with no new confirmed cases detected in 8 days, what is the trajectory of Belize's epidemiological curve? When will it peak? Manzanero said there's really no curve:

    Manzanero Watches Mexico Warily
    But, our neighbour to the north Mexico does have a curve, and it's steeply climbing right now. The country has 8,261 confirmed coronavirus cases and 686 deaths. Manzanero says that their curve is set to peak in May:

    When Can The Borders Open?
    So, while Manzanero says it is difficult to tell the government when to open the border, he also noted that after 28 days without a single case, an outbreak would officially be considered over. Right now Belize is at day 8 or 9. So that is a long ways off, but what if we got there? Could Belize open the borders then?: "If, after 28 days has passed without a case, would you advise the borders to open?" "That's a tricky situation because I just explained what's happening in Mexico. so we might not have had a case, but if they are just going at a very rapid pace, escalating in their curve, it is not going to be sensible for us to make that recommendation..."

    Two Cops Charged For Curfew Violation
    There's a rift between Northside and southside police in Belize City. That's after two Northside police officers were charged for violating the curfew, that is being out of their homes after 8:00 pm. This caused a rift, because the two constables were taken to precinct two and held like regular criminals - which they felt was un-necessary. In fact, they felt like they shouldn't have been picked up at all, since they were just talking.

    Commissioner Cautions Cops
    And police officers are not only failing to lead by example when it comes to the curfew, but a number of them are also guilty of a spate of recent abuses against the public. Back in March AG Michael Peyrefitte made an appearance on Ask The Experts in which he said quote: "The police no weh have no sense." and it's proven true, because despite directives not to use the State of Emergency as a means to abuse or take advantage of citizens certain officers have done just that.

    International Recognition For The Manatee Man
    Jamal Galvez has made the news many times as a manatee protector and first responder. And now the National Geographic Society has highlighted him as a conservator of manatees. It's a major international honour and we spoke to him about it today via video conference: Cherisse Halsall, reporter "Talk to me a little bit about what was highlighted in the National Geographic video about your beginnings in this field?"

    Man Shot For Not Knowing Smugglers' Backroad
    In crime news, 50-year-old Calla Creek resident Rafael Vasquez was shot in the abdomen and ankle last night, with a third bullet grazing his head. It happened at around 7:00 pm at a farm on the Santa Rosa road. Vasquez was approached by a man who spoke to him in Spanish asking if he could take him to a back road that leads into Guatemala.

    The Port Loyola Cruise Plan
    The Port of Belize it's been in receivership since 2012, but if Waterloo Investment Holdings, one of the Ashcroft Group of companies, gets the necessary green-lights from the Government, the Port will get a massive multi-million dollar upgrade. Waterloo Investment Holdings is poised to become the next owner of the Port. They have a $200 million-dollar development plan to expand the facility with a deeper channel to accommodate bigger cargo ships. This company also wants to build a cruise terminal facility on the Port's property, and they say that the facility would accommodate shore-side berthing of cruise ships.

    Channel 5

    Was a Post-mortem Done to Determine Cause of Death of Ulysease Roca?
    The family of Ulysease Roca, a gay fashion designer, is questioning the cause of his death. There was no autopsy done on the body before it was cremated so the [...]

    Physical Violence Against Roca by Cop is Unacceptable
    Today, a joint release was issued by the National AIDS Commission, the Special Envoy for Women and Children and the Ministry of Human Development saying that they are extremely saddened [...]

    Director of Health Services Gives an Update on Testing Capabilities!
    There are now two persons who have recovered from the corona virus. Eighteen persons contracted the virus, two died and now to have recovered.   The Ministry says one hundred and [...]

    M.O.H. to Review Testing Strategy – May Cast a Wider Net!
    It’s been nine days since the last COVID-19 positive patient was identified and moving forward with testing, the DHS says that they will be reviewing their testing strategy because they [...]

    P.U.P. Supports Livestock Farmers and Agro-producers
    The People’s United Party is lending its support to dozens of livestock producers across the country who continue to lose income as a result of being unable to transport cattle [...]

    Government Should Come to the Aid of Livestock Producers Post Haste
    The question of whether Chairman Pinelo is acting outside of his legal authority in prohibiting the passage of vehicles through Bullet Tree Falls remains a pertinent concern, as it sets [...]

    G.O.B. Should Purchase Excess Produce from Local Farmers
    Another of the proposals put forward to the Barrow administration by the Leader of the Opposition, who also co-chairs the National Oversight Committee, is for government to purchase bulk quantities [...]

    Debit Cards Issued to Recipients of COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Fund
    More than thirty thousand applications have been approved for persons to receive assistance from the COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Fund. About seventy thousand persons have so far applied for the assistance, [...]

    Nurses Association Receives $170,000 from the Lord Ashcroft Relief Fund
    In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, nurses are among the frontline workers who put their own lives at risk.  A few days ago, the Nurses Association’s President, Darell Spenser [...]

    Two COVID-19 Patients Have Recovered!
    Belize has two fewer COVID-19 positive cases tonight. That’s the update from the Ministry of Health this evening. Before that bit of information was provided, Director of Health Services Doctor [...]

    COVID-19 Patients on the Road to Recovery
    While we have had two patients who have recovered from COVID-19, the remaining fourteen are doing well. The hospitalized patient from Corozal has since been released and is recovering at [...]

    How Soon Can Belize Reopens Its Borders? Not So Fast – Says DHS!
    As we reported at top of the newscast, it’s been nine days since the last person tested positive for COVID-19 in Belize. And while Belize has only a handful of [...]

    When Does Belize Reopen Its Economy?
    The losses triggered by COVID-19 to the business sector are enormous and the road to economic recovery will be a long and arduous journey. Many businesses will have to rebound [...]

    Is Party Politics Permeating Coronavirus Relief?
    In an effort to assist as many Belizeans who are in dire straits as a result of the sudden economic downturn, government has been bolstering initiatives such as the Pantry [...]

    Bishop Wright to be Laid to Rest on Wednesday in Belize City
    Bishop Dorick Wright will be laid to rest on Wednesday here in Belize City, following a televised funeral service that will be broadcast live from Holy Redeemer Cathedral. Channel Five [...]

    New Law Prohibits Lighting of Fires During SOE
    You can no longer light fire during the state of emergency. If you are found doing so, you can be fined up to five thousand dollars and if you can’t [...]

    Forest Dept, Dept of Environment & Police Will Help to Enforce New Fire Law!
    …and to help them monitor the situation, the Forest Department has been using an online tool that records heat points across the country. While that tool will help to guide [...]

    Cop Arrested and Charged for Violating Curfew Regulation
    There is a report tonight that a police officer has been arrested and charged for violating the curfew regulation. The cop, Patrick Roches, was detained on Monday night. From the [...]

    National Geographic Features Jamal Galvez!
    Local manatee conservationist, Jamal Galvez got another major shout-out from National Geographic. He is being featured by the publication for their Earth Day celebrations, which is being observed on Wednesday.  [...]

    Placencia Ambition Forum Focuses on Climate Change
    The Government of Belize, as the chair of the Alliance of Small Island States, hosted the Placencia Ambition Forum which put together key actors in the climate change discussions around [...]

    Amandala

    “We are terribly short of money” — PM Barrow
    The COVID-19 pandemic has crushed the global economy. Most countries remain under lockdown as they engage in the fight to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, a deadly disease which has infected more than 2 million persons worldwide and has claimed the lives of more than 150,000. This afternoon, Prime Minister Dean Barrow issued a video statement in which he addressed several issues relating to government’s fight against COVID-19. Barrow addressed the response to the pandemic from both the medical and the socioeconomic fronts.

    Ulysses Terry found dead in Willows Bank
    A man was found dead in his house in Willows Bank at about 2:30 this afternoon. Ulysses Terry, a fashion designer of Willows Bank, was found motionless by his neighbor, who went to look for him. Police were called and Terry was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was officially declared dead. Police are waiting for the results of a mandatory autopsy to ascertain the cause of his death.

    Re-opening of school uncertain
    Today would have been the day on which most students in Belize would have returned to school following the Easter break, but the country remains under lockdown as it fights to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. The Ministry of Education announced today that no date has so far been set for the re-opening of schools. Minister of Education Patrick Faber made the announcement via the Government Press Office webcast. Belize’s State of Emergency is expected to continue until the end of the month, after which the government will have to decide on the way forward in terms of the gradual re-opening of the country and economy.

    Over 200 trapped mainland residents finally evacuated from San Pedro
    Another 206 mainland residents were evacuated from San Pedro, Ambergiris Caye, on Saturday. The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Human Development and the National Emergency Management Organization coordinated the evacuation, the San Pedro Sun reported. The group traveled back to the mainland on two large boats from San Pedro Water Taxi. These mainland residents who worked in San Pedro had been trapped on the island since March 23, when cruise ships announced that they were discontinuing calls to Belize due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The reporter and the recording that brought down the SSB Chairman
    On Tuesday, April 14, the Chairman of the Belize Social Security Board, Doug Singh, resigned less than two hours after an interview he gave to Belize Breaking News (BBN) reporter Aaron Humes went viral on social media. Singh also resigned as Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission and Director of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), all postings that he got from Prime Minister Dean Barrow, to whom his resignation letter was addressed

    Almost total lockdown of the city on Sunday
    This Sunday, and on the Sunday prior to that, the entire country, including Belize City, was under almost total lockdown, as dictated by Statutory Instrument #54 of 2020, which gives authority for about 90 percent of Belize to be put on lockdown. Under SI 54, all non-essential businesses — along with grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies—are prohibited from being open. Operations that are allowed to continue on Sunday include the loading and unloading of ships at local ports, the operation of food mills, oil production, agro- processing (which includes citrus, sugar and food factories), security companies and public utilities.

    Farmer dies in road accident
    Octavio Antonio Cowo, 50, a farmer of Orange Walk Town, was reportedly traveling from Orange Walk Town to San Estevan in his pickup at 9:00 tonight, when, on his arrival just outside San Estevan, he lost control of the vehicle, which overturned. Cowo was thrown out of the vehicle and onto the pavement. He suffered massive head and body injuries and died almost immediately.

    Shots fired to break up fight between rival gangs
    Rival gang members were engaged in a fight this morning near Belizean Meat Pies on Baghdad Street. Police intervened and shots were fired to disperse them, and the men who were engaged in the brawl were taken into custody. Luckily, no one was injured. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that the fight this morning was between the Majestic Alley gang and a rival gang. Williams said that the men are not to believe that they can upset the peace, and he said that such actions will not be tolerated. Police are focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency, and the criminals will be returned to jail if they cause disruptions in the community, he said.

    Curfew violators abandon crashed vehicle and disappear
    At about 9:00 last night, after the curfew had gone into effect, police saw two men sitting in a pickup on a road in Santa Elena. The officers, which had driven past the pickup, turned their car around and headed toward the pickup to question the men, but as soon as the men saw that the police vehicle had turned around and that the officers were heading toward them, they drove away, and there was a high-speed chase.

    2 busted with gun and rounds
    Two men of Billy White are in custody after they were found with a firearm and 18 rounds of ammunition without a gun license. They were also found with a bag containing 293 grams of cannabis. They have been charged with drug trafficking and possession of a firearm and ammunition without a gun license and have been detained, pending arraignment. Police said that they were conducting patrols in Billy White when they saw two men who were carrying a bag, and the men became nervous when they saw police coming towards them.

    Editorial: Mr. Singh, and PM Barrow, Mr. Rogers
    It is possible that the resignation of Doug Singh from the posts of Chairman of the Belize Social Security Board (SSB) and Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, and as a Director of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), is no great loss to the people of Belize. He must have been considered a valuable asset by the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), since he was called on/trusted to hold such important positions, in normal times. We are not living in normal times.

    A week without any new COVID-19 cases in Belize
    On Monday, the Ministry of Health reported that four persons had been tested for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Belize. One person in the Cayo District tested positive, while three others from Belize City had tested positive for the deadly disease. With three persons testing positive from Belize City, Ministry of Health officials had feared that there was going to be a community spread.

    Changes made for distribution of food pantry packages
    The Ministry of Human Development announced that changes have been made for the smooth distribution of Food Pantry program packages with effect from today, Monday, April 20. Food will now be distributed according to the surnames of the persons who are beneficiaries of the program. This system is now in place to prevent overcrowding at the distribution outlets. For example, people registered to get food at the Oleander Street Food Pantry with surnames that start with the letters A – F will get food on Tuesdays from 9: 00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

    Gang members sign agreement and hand over guns before being released
    About 132 gang members were released at about 6:00 yesterday evening from the Belize Central Prison, where they were held in remand for one month from March 17, as part of a State of Emergency initiative that was launched by Government in March, to stop the brutal and escalating gun violence that appears to have become the norm in Belize City. In events leading up to the time these gang members were remanded, between March 13 and March 17, seven persons were killed, including two 5-year-old children who were in their respective homes sleeping with their mothers.

    RAYMOND “FOOTIE” GONGORA!
    There were not a lot of the 1990’s Belize semi-pro basketball games at the old Belize City auditorium that brought to my view the mad basketball skills of Raymond “Footie” Gongora — but the ones that did grab my fancy during the 1992-1993 years of the basketball tournament, were the ones that the high-energy and talented basketball team, Raiders, played to sold out Belizean audiences on Friday nights. During the 1990’s, when I was making monthly visits to Belize from Los Angeles, California, Belize’s semi-pro basketball was in rare form. For me it was like the 1970s Belizean basketball explosion at the fabulous basketball sporting arena Birds Isle, and the 90s basketball games had their stars like Gongora and his renegade band of roots ballers coming straight out of the Belize City Southside ‘hoods.

    The reset: beyond the crisis
    We are living in an unprecedented time. An invisible enemy has brought the world to its proverbial knees. Unemployment is at a level never before seen in our lifetimes. Government coffers are rapidly drying up. Countless businesses have shut down, and many may not be able to re-open. Entire economies have collapsed or are on the verge of collapsing. All this brings with it something as dangerous or more dangerous than the virus itself. Economic collapse results in untold human suffering. The poor and indigent are the first to suffer the cruel impacts of Corona.

    Major an Neri mos bi di spread rapacious capitalist propaganda
    It’s been three weeks now that I haven’t gotten a copy of the Reporter, and while I am comfortable living on only food and water, clothes and shelter, and a sheet to cover me from mosquitoes, my world is better when I have a full complement of local newspapers to peruse on the weekend. Since the state of emergency, the Reporter has apparently been available only online, and I can’t access it. You know, I keep a close eye on all that goes on in my country, for the purpose of kip people in check, so they don’t go rampant. Only heaven knows what is going on over there.

    Young bones …
    “Well! You see what they say ‘bout how easy river run deep? I tell you all, long time, how tha’ chile heart love tha’ man! Now you find out for yourself! The girl smart, though; ‘e take off and had the man running behind, and nex’ ting you know, she is Mrs. Jerome St. John, as cool as could be! Ah proud a’ ahn!” I’m sure it was not difficult to identify the speaker of those words as the famous Gertrude Atkins, who had earned extra mileage from the fact of having “dressed” the bride, one aunt having been one of the witnesses and the other the designer of her headdress, thus reaping all glory accruing from her family’s close association with the event of the moment!

    Brian Plummer’s feelings on COVID-19
    Dear Editor, On April 17, 2020, oil was US$18.27 a barrel. This is an indication of low economic activity globally causing a massive decrease in demand and a large supply. As of April 17, Belize has 18 confirmed COVID-19 cases, while at the end of March, there were only 3 cases. The evidence suggests the current strategy is not effective.

    Letter addressed to the people of the United States of America
    Letter from President Maduro to the American people: This email is an opportunity to extend a warm greeting, and at the same time submit an attached letter signed by the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, addressed to the people of the United States on the occasion of the recent threats carried out by Donald Trump to the Venezuelan people and its Government, announcements that threaten the peace, security and stability of our region and the Caribbean. The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Belize, takes this opportunity to reiterate the assurances of its highest esteem and consideration.

    The Reporter

    Bishop Dorick Wright's funeral
    All are asked to note the Bishop Dorick Wright's funeral will be held Wednesday at 10:00 at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City. Those wishing to join may do so via Guadalupe Media.

    Communities in Cayo using Barter
    There is a flurry of activity in farming communities in Cayo South where farmers have adopted a bartering system aimed at assisting community members to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and shortages of specific vegetables in their respective areas. The villages of Valley of Peace, St. Matthews, Cotton Tree and St. Margaret have all pooled their resources to assist each other in a time of need. The initiative came about after it was realized that while certain communities were having a surplus of a particular product, there were shortages in other areas, and vice versa.

    LOVE FM

    Director of Health Services speaks on testing for COVID-19 in Belize
    The Ministry of Health has conducted over one hundred and sixty tests over the last week. There is, however, a need for some elements for the testing kits. Dr. Manzanero, via today’s edition of the Ask the Expert, spoke on this aspect as well as incoming health supplies.

    SSB explains delay is approval for financial aid
    One major concern that applicants of the unemployment relief program have is the delay in the approval for their applications. Many of them have stated that they applied at the start of the program but still have not received any approval texts.

    COVID-19 Patient One classified as recovered
    Belize is into its 5th week since the confirmation of its first COVID-19 patient on March 23. The first patient is a 38-year-old Belizean businesswoman of Ambergris Caye.

    No update yet on cattle farmers in the West
    While the entire agriculture sector is taking hits from every corner, one specific issue we highlighted in yesterday’s news had to do with the cattle exporters in the Cayo District. As we reported, the exporters are being blocked from passing through Bullet Tree Village allegedly by the village chairman, Sabino Pinelo.

    Government issues Statutory Instrument against burning of garbage
    Today the Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development, Omar Figueroa signed Statutory Instrument Number 59. The new regulation prohibits the burning of bush, milpa, agricultural fields, pasture, grass, or any type of vegetation during the state of emergency.

    S & P downgrades Belize’s ratings in light of its tourism decline
    Belize’s ratings on the global scale have been downgraded by S&P Global Ratings. S&P recently made revisions on several tourism-dependent countries including Belize and subsequently gave a CCC rating on the country’s long term foreign and local currency sovereign credit.

    LGBT communities demand better for Ulysease Roca
    “Multiple Organ Failure” is what the post mortem examination certified as the cause of death for 25-year-old Ulysease Roca. Ulysease was found dead inside his home on the afternoon of April 19.

    Belize faces a dim economic future; that is the prediction from Bloomberg
    On the heels of the S&P Rating report on Belize, a publication by Bloomberg has predicted that Belize and several other nations may soon become known instead for its debt crises as opposed to the place where the wealthiest bankers go to play. The report states, quote, “the three nations (Barbados, Belize, and the Bahamas) are some of the most exposed to the sudden stop in global tourism due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    PUP says agro-productive sector needs help
    The People’s United Party has issued a statement on the plight of the agro-productive sector. Their stance on this issue is that there is a dire need for the Government to act now and alleviate the hardships being endured by the poorest and that food security must be a priority.

    Unqualified applicants clog the financial aid process
    Thousands of unqualified Belizeans are still trying to benefit from the financial aid from the Government and as a result are clogging up the system. They are deemed unqualified for the assistance either because they are under 18 years old; are not a Belizean national or in some instances they are still employed or are receiving some form of pension or gratuity from the Government or they are beneficiaries of the BOOST Program.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Ministry of the Environment announces new regulations for burning garbage
    To combat the widespread burning of garbage along with the ensuing environmental health concerns, Ministry […]

    Second patient recovered from COVID-19
    The Office of the Director of Health Services has just announced that a second person […]

    Lord Ashcroft’s COVID-19 relief fund provides assistance to Nurses Association
    The Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 relief fund has agreed to provide funding for the acquisition and […]

    Special Envoy, AIDS Commission and Ministry of Human Development condemn abuse of Ulysease Roca
    Today the National AIDS Commission, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, […]

    Reuters: “Historic oil crash will not crash gas prices at the pump”
    On Monday, the United States benchmark price for oil suffered a historic crash falling below […]

    ASK THE EXPERTS: “One recovered patient from COVID-19”
    Director of Health Services Dr. Marvin Manzanero confirmed that one patient has officially recovered from […]

    PUP supports agro-productive sector
    The Opposition, People’s United Party (PUP) issued a statement today expressing their support for Belize’s […]

    Head of State of Belize, Queen Elizabeth II, turns 94
    The Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Commonwealth realms […]

    Dry weather sparks spate of bush fires in Vaca Forest Reserve
    Every evening in Western Belize, residents experience smokey atmosphere due to bush fires in several […]

    NICH farewell to Ulysease Terry
    By Aaron Humes : The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) […]

    Farmer shot on his farm
    Shortly after 7 o’clock last night a man was shot on the Calla Creek/Santa Rosa […]

    Blogs

    5 of Belize’s Underrated Places To See
    If you are a traveler seeking something unique, then Belize is for you. Though only the size of Vermont, Belize has everything from majestic Maya pyramids to invigorating underground caves and wondrous aquatic habitats. Though we could list dozens, keep your wanderlust high during COVID-19 with these 5 underrated Belize attractions. You’ll find that sometimes, the road less travelled is worth the trip! Vaca Lake, Victoria Peak Natural Monument, Rio Frio Cave, Che Chem Ha Cave, Che Chem Ha Cave.

    International Sourcesizz

    NIH Panel Recommends Against Drug Combination Promoted By Trump For COVID-19
    A panel of experts convened by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recommends against doctors using a combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for the treatment of COVID-19 patients because of potential toxicities. "The combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin was associated with QTc prolongation in patients with COVID-19," the panel said. QTc prolongation increases the risk of sudden cardiac death.

    Four Caribbean Countries Get A Ratings Downgrade From S&P
    Four Caribbean countries have been given a ratings revision to “negative” as all eyes turn quickly to the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. S&P Global Ratings’ has revised its outlook to negative from stable on Aruba, Belize, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic – all tourism dependent nations. The ratings agency said the decision was made because “the sudden stop in tourism, will cause unprecedented declines in GDP, fiscal balances, and foreign exchange inflows” in those nations.

    Lower-rated, tourism-heavy Caribbean territories seen as most vulnerable to COVID-19
    Tourism-dependent sovereigns across the Caribbean are bracing for dramatic declines in GDP this year with the COVID-19 crisis. S&P last week downgraded Belize and the Bahamas, which was already looking at a 2-3 year recovery following last year’s Hurricane Dorian. “The severity of the decline in tourism and the synchronization [across the Caribbean] is very unique,” said Paul Judson, senior director and analytical manager at Standard & Poor’s in an interview with BNamericas, adding he is not aware of any similar confluence of impacts hitting the subregion ever before in history.

    Puerto Rico 2.0? Wall Street Warns of Caribbean Debt Crises
    The Caribbean countries of Barbados, Belize and the Bahamas, among the preferred playgrounds for the world’s wealthiest bankers, may soon become known instead for Wall Street’s dark side: Debt crises. The three nations are some of the most exposed to the sudden stop in global tourism due to the coronavirus pandemic. And after decade-long borrowing sprees, they’re also staring down big bond payments, raising concern over how the Caribbean region can repay its debt.

    Secretary-General pledges to support island states mired in multiple crises, calling for focus on climate amid pandemic
    Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Placencia Ambition Forum, held in Belize today: I am pleased to send greetings to this important gathering. Currently, all eyes are on the COVID-19 pandemic — the biggest test the world has faced since the Second World War. We must work together to save lives, ease suffering, lessen the shattering economic and social consequences and bring the disease under control.

    COP26 President speech at opening of Placencia Ambition Forum
    COP26 President Alok Sharma gave a video speechat the opening of the Placencia Ambition Forum on Monday 20 April 2020: We can’t all meet in person today.It is only right that we follow the best scientific advice on COVID-19 and do everything we can to avoid the spread of this deadly disease.We must also follow the best scientific advice on climate change.It tells us failure to act will have irreversible consequences.As temperatures continue to rise, droughts and heatwaves will become more common.Crops will fail.Sea levels will rise.Hurricanes will become stronger and more intense.Lives will be lost.Communities uprooted.

    NASA spots millions of tons of sargassum in Caribbean
    Last month, NASA’s satellites captured images which showed almost clear seas in the Western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. However, photographs paint a completely different picture for the Eastern Caribbean, where a moderate amount of sargassum was recorded. The vegetation is sargassum, a seaweed that grows on the sea surface in the Atlantic Ocean. Researchers believe the isolated batches could foreshadow what the Caribbean region should expect for the rest of 2020. “In March 2020, the sargassum amount increased significantly across the central Atlantic,” according to an information bulletin posted on the USF’s website on 31 March.

    Videos

  • Tuesday's 'Ask the Experts', min. Tune in at Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services, joined us.

  • Kess Ramsey on OVID-19, 3min. We encourage you to watch and listen. It made our day and we couldn't have said it better. Thank you Kess Ramsey. We endorse your message.

  • Channel 5 Obituaries - ELIZABETH ANN TILLETT NEE WALTON, 2min.

  • PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne leads media briefing on COVID-19 in the Americas, 48min.

  • Belize Awaits Campaign, 1/2min.

  • Belize, 4min.

  • Belize Awaits..., 1/2min. The sun will rise on travel again... and Belize will be waiting

  • Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities, 21min.

  • Belizean living in Paris - Covid-19 Update, 23min. Human Interest Story - France Experience

  • Ministry of Education - Update, 38min.

  • Understanding what it means to be asymptomatic, 29min. We have been hearing the word "asymptomatic" in the discourse of how people spread COVID-19. Dr. Jorge Hidalgo, Internist at Belize HealthCare Partners Ltd. helped us understand what it means to be asymptomatic and how these carriers transmit the virus. He also talked with us about how patients are treated for COVID-19 and updated on the developments towards a vaccine.

  • Belize Association of Planners - integrate our government processes, 43min. There are various lessons that can be learnt from the experience of responding to the COVID-10 pandemic. We invited Carolyn Trench Sandiford, Executive Director of the Belize Association of Planners, to share her reflections. She identified several issues that challenge our national response including the poverty level of our communities, governance structures and the overall health of our population. She says that what we should learn from this experience is to integrate our government processes.

  • How to safely use mask to decrease exposure to the COVID-19, 15min. Wearing masks may be a new experience for many but it has become a part of our new reality. We sought to get some education about the proper way to use a mask to ensure it's efficiency. Cassandra Gloria, a current Dental Student, showed us how to safely use it to decrease exposure to the COVID-19.

  • Belize's very own, Jamal Galves!, 1min. National Geographic Photo Ark ZSL EDGE of Existence Fellow Jamal Galves has cared about manatee conservation since he was 11 years old. As a marine biologist, he is working to save these gentle giants that are under threat from drowning in fishing nets and collisions with boats in his home country of Belize.

  • The Prayer Service for Bishop Wright, 45min. Vigil Prayer Service for Bishop Dorick Wright

  • Belize Trip 2020, 7min.

  • Belize Liveaboard Snorkel Safari in 60 Seconds, 1min. A quick look at what it's like on our Belize Snorkel Safari aboard the Belize Aggressor III.

  • Belize Turneffe Island Resort Snorkel Safari in 60 Seconds, 1min. The reefs around Turneffe Atoll are characterized by a shallow sandy area with a bunch of mixed coral heads covered in sea fans, sponges, and hard corals. Here the coral comes right up to the surface and it's ideal for getting close to marine life without the need to duck dive. The average depth where we'll spend the majority of our time is around three to ten feet. Here we have the best mix of healthy colorful coral and marine life. Aside from the clear blue water, very mild to absent currents, and vibrant scenery, one of the best things about the snorkeling Belize is that you never run out of reef of explore, they just kept going and going and going!

  • Scuba Belize 2018, 53min.

  • South Water Caye, Belize, 7min. This video is about my short time abroad in Belize for my tropical marine ecology course taken at Drew University.

  • Snorkeling Belize - Silk Cayes, 6min. Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Eagle Rays, Southern Stingrays and the coolest guide in Belize. Always a great day with Cultural Experience Belize.

  • Wildfire in Billy White Village,Belize, 1min. On April 17 2020 a wildfire reached close to some houses in the village of Billy White,Cayo District , Belize

  • Coatamundi in Belize, 1min.

    April 21, 2020


    FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

    Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

    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

    Belize’s semi-pro basketball and football leagues cancelled due to COVID-19
    After being suspended since the middle of March, the 2020 season of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) and the Premier League of Belize (PLB) have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the NEBL and PLB held virtual meetings on Saturday, April 18th and collectively agreed that it was the best way moving forward as it relates to both sporting seasons. Both leagues, basketball and football, took into consideration the social, health and financial impacts it will have on team owners, players, fans and other stakeholders.

    Education Minister discusses the way forward for schools in light of COVID-19
    Following the Easter break, schools across the country were to open on Monday, April 20th, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the goal of re-opening schools before the school year ends is not guaranteed. At a press conference hosted by Minister of Education (MOE), Youth and Culture, Honourable Patrick Faber indicated that distance and home-based learning are expected to continue at varying degrees at different levels of education. If educational institutions are to open, it will be advised by the National Oversight Committee under the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

    Ambergris Today

    Belize Rolls Out More Unemployment Relief
    As of noon today, April 20, 2020, a total of 72,213 applications have been submitted since the Unemployment Relief Program was opened to accept applications on April 3, 2020. This includes some of the applications submitted via hard copy, which have begun to be entered into the online portal. So far, 32,916 applications have been approved for payment to applicants. These include 7,106 that were approved today and have been forwarded to the Social Security Board (SSB) for processing. SSB has paid directly into the accounts of 20,153 applicants during the period of April 9th to 17th.

    Various Belizean Sources

    mzz

    Anonymous donor helps residents of San Lazaro and Trinidad
    An anonymous donor in the US has reached out to the Reporter to inform residents of San Lazaro and Trinidad in the Orange Walk District that arrangements have been made for the families in need to access free butane and free 5-gallon bottles of water. According to the donor, Village Council Chairman Angel Cabañas (San Lazaro) and Chairlady Ari Alfaro (Trinidad) have been asked to assist in selecting the persons most in need. Residents of both communities are asked to contact these persons for assistance through this initiative.

    BEL: Service Available at Belize City Headquarters

    Belize Water Services Limited: Thank You to our Valued Customers
    As the provider of an essential service and an important part of the community, Belize Water Services takes this opportunity to thank our valued customers for their support and for recognizing their responsibility during this difficult time. This is testimony that we are a resilient people, as we work together to help combat this pandemic. The health and safety of the community remains BWS’ top priority. We will continue operations to help with providing the necessary sanitation and hygiene to stop the spread of this disease within our country.

    Corozal Town Historical Walk
    If you have never had the opportunity to take the Corozal Town Historical Walk we are delighted to bring "the Walk" to you via our facebook page. The House of Culture is committed to the preservation and promotion of our tangible heritage. We are fortunate to have structures from the late 1800's still with us today. The Historical Walk was produced by the Corozal House of Culture with great support from our residents and local historians. It was inaugurated in 2017 and serves as a dynamic educational tool, as well as a great activity for residents and visitors alike. The self guided tour takes about 45 minutes on foot.

    What is Social Distancing? by Ministry of Health
    There are many key prevention practices that persons can undertake to reduce the risk or contracting COVID-19 or any other respiratory illness caused by viruses. One of them is social distancing. This simple behavioral response can reduce your risk on infection.

    FREE Water Distribution for Needy Families (Schedule) by Hope Haven
    TUESDAY (APRIL 21) 1:30PM: BOCA DEL RIO SOMOS (1 block south of bridge). THURSDAY (APRIL 23) 1:30PM: SAN PEDRITO. In front of the home of Elsy Wity. SATURDAY (APRIL 25) 1:30PM: DFC. New Horizon Sda Primary School. Our volunteers will be distributing 300 gallons of potable water each day, courtesy of Kevin and Nova Parel of Casa Nova Cabanas at Secret Beach.

    COVID-19 Implications on Education and the Way Forward
    Frequently Asked Questions. 1. When will schools reopen? Guidance for the reopening of schools will come from the National Oversight Committee based on advice from health authorities. Under the circumstances, the reopening of schools before the end of the current school year is not guaranteed; therefore, distance and home-based learning are expected to continue to varying degrees at different levels of education. 2. How does the Ministry of Education plan to support distance and home-based learning? The Ministry of Education is working closely with international partners such as UNICEF and with key education stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, and the media, to develop distance and home-based learning strategies for each level of education. These strategies include both academic and psychosocial support.

    Caye Caulker has recieved another donation from the Area Representative
    Yesterday the Caye Caulker Village Council received 109 boxes of bananas from Minister Heredia, today the Councilors took to the streets and distributed bananas to the entire village, and 5 boxes each were given to both soup kitchens.

    Update on Unemployment Relief Program
    As of noon today, April 20, 2020, a total of 72,213 applications had been subjected to the Unemployment Relief Program since the opening of the program implementation system on April 3 of 2020. This amount includes some of the physical applications that were received, which have already begun to enter the electronic portal. So far, 32,916 applications have been approved for payment to applicants. These include 7,106 applications that were approved today and already sent to the Social Security Board (SSB) for processing.

    New Food Pantry Schedule
    The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation informs the public that starting today, April 20, 2020, the following pick-up schedule for Food Pantry in Belize City will come into effect. This schedule is organized by last name and is designed to reduce lines and comply with social distancing recommendations. Please note that this schedule is for Food Pantry, NOT other food programs.

    Placencia Ambition Forum
    The Government of Belize, in its capacity as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), is hosting the Placencia Ambition Forum from April 20-22, 2020. The opening session was held today, April 20th. Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow delivered the keynote address at the High-Level Opening Session of the virtual Forum, which will also included high-level messages from the President of COP25, the Secretary General of the United Nations, and the UNFCCC Executive Secretary. https://streamstudio.world-television.com/gaia/wtv/aosis/index.html

    Relief delivered in Western Belize
    We are happy to share that yesterday, we delivered 140 packages to families in need in Belize (60 in Calla Creek, 40 in Benque Viejo & 40 in San Antonio Cayo)! Thank you to all our generous donors who have been opening their hearts to our cause on our GOFUNDME page BELIZE EMERGENCY RELIEF. . Our team of angels Khadija Assales, Arianie Lara Morgan, and Gladimir Canto oversaw the purchasing and distribution of supplies to families who were overwhelmed with gratitude. I'd also like to thank Norma Humes, Rosa Gonzalez Jenny Martinez, Brenda Guerra, Paul Habib, and Israel Coh for all your help in making this happen.

    Belize Virtual Music Festival May 1
    Belize's first Virtual Music Festival will be next Friday, May 1st. Sam Harris! Nello Player! Great lineup! Presented by The Music Industry Association of Belize, a member of the Belize Coalition of Service Providers.

    THE TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS AND GRATIFICATION WITH THE FRUITS OF YOUR LABOUR
    I wonder why plants are the way they are. Why is it that the fruits of plants that you never eat tend to give you fruits all year round; while some plants that you love, seldom if ever give you any fruits. Case in point, my Noni tree (first photo) . I understand that the Noni fruit is very nutrious, but you need to know how to prepare it before eating it because it could be poisonous. I believe it is because of this reason why people don't eat it, its just too complicated a fruit to eat.

    NICH Extends Condolences to the Family of Belizean Designer Ulysease Terry
    The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), would like to extend our condolences to the family of Belizean Designer Ulysease Terry, aka Adrian Roca (Rocker) of Iconic Designs. Adrian participated in several Fashions Runways, including Belize Fashion Week 1 and 2, showcasing his unique street-chic women apparel. He had clothing available for sale at Island Gear Boutique in San Pedro and had aspirations to further his education in Fashion Design. In an interview done with the San Pedro Sun at his Iconic Fashion Show, Adrian said: “Fashion is how I express myself and it is an extension of who I am.”

    Channel 7

    One Week, 170 Tests, None Positive For COVID-19
    7 days - that's how long Belize has gone without a new positive test for COVID-19. About 170 tests have been done in that time and all of them were negative. Statistics released this afternoon from the Ministry of Health show that 772 tests have been done, 754 of them were negative, leaving 18 positive, broken down into 9 men and 9 women. That's the same number as a week ago on Easter Monday. They are all recovering or stable, and none of them are in the isolation unit or on a ventilator.

    Gay Man Dies, Family Says Police Abuse Played A Role
    There's much more COVID news still to come, but first, the story of a gay man found dead; his last days clouded by controversy and ridicule. Tonight, the family of 25-year-old Ulysease Roca, a resident of Willows Bank Village, is grieving his sudden passing. They are also pointing fingers at the police for allegedly playing a role in his demise. He found dead yesterday by a relative, and at this time, his loved-ones don't know what caused his health to take such a sudden turn for the worse.

    Roca Family Blames Cops
    So, as viewers have seen, the Roca family believes that police played a direct role in his death. They were already suspicious that the issue wouldn't be assessed fairly because police officers are allegedly involved. But, a few more occurrences between yesterday and today have cemented that deep sense of distrust that they've developed toward police. Here's how his sister explained why they think that police are hiding something:

    Commissioner Says Police Will Be Charged Disciplinarily
    For, police, who are the enforcement arm of the Government's State of Emergency and the curfew regulations for COVID-19, these allegations of abuse of authority are a big public relations black eye. Today, in a press conference, Police Commissioner Chester Williams discussed a few of the issues that Ulysease Roca and his family have raised publicly about the way his detention was handled: "Our records showed that Ulysease Roca was detained by police on April 5th for having violated the curfew law. He was taken to court and pleaded guilty and was fined $3,500 dollars subsequent to that I saw a Facebook post where he had gone live and expressed that he was hit in the face by a police officer whilst in custody..."

    Two Sides of the Police/Politician Pantry Clash
    On Friday we showed you how Minister of Human Development Anthony "Boots" Martinez ran to the rescue of the breadlines. The Minister was livid, and wasn't shy about blasting police for, quote, "a lack of social conscience." And by Saturday there was a rebuttal from Commissioner of Police Chester Williams who said that assertions made by Minister Martinez were completely wrong and that his officers were well within their authority to close the pantries. But were the police pulling an "ambush in the night" on the Belizean people or just doing their best to promote necessary social distancing? We heard opposing views from the Minister and Commissioner..

    Police Have to Prepare For Growing Desperation
    And, while police have agreed to work along with the pantry program, they will have to be flexible, because going forward into a deepening social economic crisis, the lines may be longer and the crowds more impatient. We asked the Commissioner about that on Saturday: "Now however going forward you all as you explained want to operate on a compassionate basis aware of the needs of people and the desperate times we're in..."

    All Gangs Being Watched
    But, if relief food packages get out in time, those problems can be avoided, but what about gang violence? That's much harder to predict and control. Police had a break from it last month when they locked up 134 of the City's gang members under provisions of a South Side state of emergency. It was expected that the gang members would remain locked up for 60 days, but that would have required an extension of the Southside state of emergency - meaning a trip to the house of representatives.

    Cops Send Warning To The Alley
    And, as we told you on Friday, they started to come down in Pink's Alley. This is after a fight that happened earlier on Friday morning near Dario's meatpie. We're told it's a scuffle - but police say it was a fistfight between warring groups in the area. We do know that a businessman in the area had to fire a shot to break it up. After that, police detained a group of men from Pink's Alley for 48 hours. Williams said they intended to have a deterrent effect:

    Waiting For Guns From Gangsters
    One way the gangs are doing their part for trying times is by giving up a number of guns. On Friday the Police department had collected 22 of them with an expectation of 5 more. And this morning the Commissioner told us that they've received two more: "I know since then we have received two more. We should be getting the others this week and see what else we can do to disarm the gang members of their firearms."

    From Gunman To Human
    And Williams hopes that an informal amnesty for those who surrender their guns will help the City's criminal elements to act more like what he calls "human beings." "Well I would hope that they keep it that way..."

    When Will Schools Re-open?
    If COVID-19 hadn't turned the world upside down, school would have re-opened today after the easter holidays. Butright now, parents and children don't know when school will re-open - and neither does the ministry! The heads of the Ministry of Education held a one hour 45 minute virtual press conference to try and answer all your questions on education - but in some cases, try is all they could do - like when it came to the first, inevitable question, when will normal classes resume?:

    Grade Promotions Automatic
    So, distance and home learning will continue, but that means curriculum learning is disrupted, so, the decision right now is that all students will be promoted to the next grade. It may sound outlandish, but these are extraordinary times, and here's the announcement: "For pre-school students, the Ministry's recommendation is as such: those first year pre-school students, that is those children who are 3 years old should be promoted to the 4 year-old year and those students who are 4 years old, we are recommending should receive their pre-school certificates and transition into primary school..."

    The Problem With Mass Promotion
    Of course, if you promote all grades, then why would any student have the incentive to study? After all - even though the school year is NOT finished - they already know that they are advancing to the next grade. We asked the Minister about this via video conference: "Are we sort of abandoning something that is really integral in the system which is that those who work the hardest and try the hardest should be promoting and those who do not should not be."

    PSE, CSEC, CAPE Off The Calendar
    So, the promotions are automatic, but they should also be earned. It's a tough line for teachers and administrators to tow, and they'll have time to think about it because the PSE and C-SEC and CAPE exams are also cancelled. Here's how Faber put it: "The Belize Junior Achievement Test (BJAT) will not be administered this academic year, but instead this exam will be used as a diagnostic tool for schools to use by administering it at the start of primary standard 4..."

    Distance Learning From Close Up
    So, like we said, education will continue via distance learning, that may mean the internet, or radio and television. Faber explains how they plan to case as wide an electronic net as possible for students: "The ministry will continue to develop and broadcast daily audio lessons on local FM radio stations and more information on that will come in this week and we will also provide a printed publication containing learning activities for students at the early childhood and primary levels who may otherwise not have access to the other resources being provided..."

    Expectations Must Go Up With New Norm
    So, while those booklets will have two weeks of work, that's really just homework. What about tests and quizzes and exams? They may be a source of stress for school kids, but they are critical to assessment and motivation. So far, the Ministry has been soft-pedalling, telling teachers not to push kids too hard with distance learning because the COIVD pandemic already has the kids stressed out. But now that distance learning is going into a longer term, Faber says the expectations have to be higher:

    Registration Deadlines Extended
    And while the Ministry if trying not to stress the kids out more, what about their parents and those registration fees which will soon start to come due? Faber says deadlines should be extended: "Registration for the new school year also becomes an issue and to this end the Ministry of Education is requesting that all educational institutions extends their deadlines for registration and payment of school fees until circumstances improved."

    Will Teacher Salaries Be Touched?
    And while postponed registration means schools will be starved for funds, government is already in a worse position. It's revenue has slowed to a trickle with the economic shutdown - and with that, there is concern for teachers' salaries. Will they have to take a paycut? This year's increment is already on the table to be frozen - but will salaries also take a hit? The Minister had no clear answer to this key question:

    The Plan Imperfect
    The answer for that one will eventually have to come from the Ministry of Finance. And, there are other answers which will have to come from the National Task Force, like when will school doors re-open. So, today's plan for the education had a lot of missing piecing and incomplete information; the Minister did concede it's not a perfect plan:

    Fatal Accident Claims 50 Year Old
    50-year-old Octavio Cowo, a farmer from Liberty Avenue, Orange Walk, was killed in an accident on Friday night. It happened at around 8:30 when Cowo lost control of his pickup truck. The vehicle flipped several times, finally landing 3 feet off the highway near the bypass between the Tower Hill road and the San Estevan cutoff.

    Fires Raging, Polluting Western Skies
    Last week, we told you how the Ministry of the Environment intended to get tough on Belizeans who are still setting bonfires during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, and the drought that the country is facing. The CEO said that a draft statutory instrument was being prepared which would criminalize the starting of any kind of fires. The concern is that the accompanying smoke is polluting the air, and that could compromise the respiratory systems of citizens, causing them to be more susceptible to the coronavirus.

    The San Pedro Exodus
    On March 23rd., the island town of San Pedro became Belize's official COVID-19 ground zero. And shortly after the announcement of the first confirmed case of COVID-19, the island was completely locked down with no one allowed to leave or return. Hundreds of people were left stranded on the island, the majority of them seasonal workers. They've been trying to leave ever since and some of them managed to. But Saturday morning saw the largest group yet finally get off the island. Cherisse Halsall was out there and she has the story.

    7News And The Compol
    On Saturday night, 45 year old Patachakan resident Noel Elias Arzu reached the KHMH in a critical condition. He had been in an accident of some type and sustained serious spinal injury. He was experiencing respiratory distress, and that caused great concern among the front-line staff at the KHMH. His family tells us there was a delay to even take him out of the ambulance, and the Director of Health Services confirms he was flagged as a possible case of COVID 19. He was also intubated on a respirator.

    Noel Arzu's Mysterious Demise
    And the family of Noel Arzu wants answers. Police are saying they believe he was in some sort of traffic accident - but the family says they have no idea how he ended dup in the hospital with very serious injuries.

    Cops' Changing Role
    Earlier you heard the commissioner speak about weighing charges against a media house for allegation of mis reporting. These are among the changing roles police now have to embrace: "In the times that we're in it's really tough times and the police we see our roles changing or we have to be making adjustments to our roles every day..."

    If Found With Fonto
    And versatility has leant itself flexibility when judging who should and should not be on the streets after curfew. But the Commissioner says if you're out to buy fonto you're going to jail. "We see people out buying one soft drink, buying one monster, buying fonto..."

    "Tapeboss" Taken To Station
    He's a self-proclaimed social media influencer so it shouldn't have been strange last week when Roderick Wade aka TapeBoss' video went viral on Facebook. And it wasn't long after it was posted that the video began to receive a lot of attention, that is negative attention. And this afternoon Wade was detained by police. Reports say that his home was searched and computer equipment was confiscated in an effort to retrieve pornographic material, particularly any which may involve minors.

    72,213 Unemployment Applications Submitted
    The Government is reporting tonight that as of noon today, a total of 72,213 applications have been submitted electronically for aid under their Unemployment Relief Program. As viewers are aware, this was the Government's aid to Belizeans who lost their jobs when the coronavirus pandemic landed on Belizean soil. The government says that this today's tally included some applications submitted via hard copy, and steps are being taken to enter them into the online portal. So far 32,916 applications have been approved for payment to applicants.

    Channel 5

    COVID-19 Disrupts Present Academic Calendar; All Schools Remain Closed
    High Schools normally close in May followed by primary schools in June for the summer break. But COVID-19 has disrupted every facet of life. The Ministry of Education today announced [...]

    No New Cases of COVID-19; 66 Cases Under Investigation
    The last confirmed cases of COVID-19 were last week Monday and it is now seven days since the Ministry of Health has not reported a case relating either to community [...]

    An Investigation is Launched into the Death of Fashion Designer Ulysease Roca
    Ulysease Roca, a twenty-five-year-old fashion designer, was found dead inside his house in Willows Bank, Belize District on Sunday. Roca’s death is under investigation because of the circumstances. Roca was [...]

    Ulysease Roca Suffered from Being Bullied
    Ulysease Roca was a fashion designer who suffered from cyber-bullying for being a member of the LGBTI community and for being HIV positive. In a recent post on his social [...]

    UNIBAM Exec. Dir. Says Police & Community Could Not Identify Mental Breakdown
    The family claims that Roca was denied access to medical assistance due to his HIV status, saying that a post-mortem was initially refused because of that. Caleb Orosco, the Executive [...]

    ComPol Williams: “Police Officers Should Not Record and Make Mockery of People”
    Just recently, three cops coerced a man to have sex with a mentally challenged woman. That despicable act was recorded on cell phone by one of the rogue cops and [...]

    A Gang Update from ComPol
    Last Thursday evening one hundred and thirty-seven gang members were released from the Belize Central Prison. The men were sent to prison for one month following a series of killings [...]

    Is the Release of Gang Figures during the COVID-19 S.O.E. Stretching Police Resources?
    But while the released gang members appear to be keeping the peace, their release from prison has put an added pressure on the Belize Police Department during the State of [...]

    Tape Boss Detained by Police Pending Investigation
    Police have detained Belize City resident, Roderick Wade who uses the alias, Tape Boss. Not too long ago, the photographer was on social media claiming he had a raped a [...]

    Can Government Meet Teachers Wage Bill?
    A new budget for the 2020 fiscal calendar came into effect at the beginning of April, but with the fluid economic situation involving COVID-19, there are concerns as to whether [...]

    Education Budget Remains Intact Says Patrick Faber
    The fiscal allowance for education is the second largest area for recurrent expenditure for government, after the Ministry of Finance.  Given the dire state of the local economy amid the [...]

    Ministry of Education Recommends CPD for Teachers on Vacation
    Ending the school year with home-based learning is a historic first for the education sector when traditionally the months of May and June are reserved for examinations.  Whereas BJAT, P.S.E. [...]

    Policing and the Pantry Programme During the S.O.E.
    On Friday, police officers shut down pantry programmes across Belize City. It has been reported that cops were telling pantry recipients to go home and that didn’t go over well [...]

    138 Curfew Breakers over the Weekend!
    Over one hundred persons breached the curfew law over the weekend but it did not include minors.  On Friday evening, the new curfew regulations for persons sixteen-years-old and younger came [...]

    Two Vessels Arrive from San Pedro Over the Weekend
    On Saturday morning, dozens of passengers destined for other parts of the country arrived by sea at the San Pedro Belize Water Taxi Terminal.  Many of them had been trapped [...]

    Oil Prices Plunge Below Zero
    There was an unprecedented event today in the international markets that should have some bearing for Belize. The coronavirus pandemic caused oil demand to drop so rapidly that producers have [...]

    Standards & Poor Lowers Belize’s Credit Ratings
    In other news of a financial nature, Belize’s ratings on Standards and Poor, have taken a hit.  The agency has lowered the credit ratings from a “B” negative to a [...]

    Chamber of Commerce Says Bullet Tree Chairman is Acting Illegally
    Last week, we reported on the impasse between the chairman of the Bullet Tree Village and Livestock Producers who export informally to Guatemala. The Chairman, Sabino Pinelo, held a meeting [...]

    An Update on the Unemployment Relief Programme
    As you know, there are a number of food programmes for persons who have, in some way, been impacted by COVID-19. Some of these programmes have run into hurdles due [...]

    ComPol Weighs In on Media House Facebook Post
    Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that 7News didn’t break any laws with their Facebook post over the weekend. The media house posted that they received credible reports that a [...]

    Lord Ashcroft Relief Fund Has Dispersed $.75 Million So Far
    Here is an update on the Lord Ashcroft Relief Fund of ten million dollars.  The most recent donation is for five hundred thousand dollars, which was made to the Belize [...]

    186 Fires Recorded on Monday in Belize!
    More than one hundred fires were recorded on a single day in Belize last week posing serious risks to human health and the wider environment.  Air quality measurement tools showed [...]

    The Reporter

    The Minister of Education Patrick Faber joined the nation this morning
    Via zoom to share the education plan for Belize for the remainder of the school year. Below are highlights of that plan. 1. Re-opening of schools before the end of the school year is not guaranteed; 2. Home-based learning, working with school leaders, teachers, international partners at all educational level must continue; Academic and psychosocial support must be provided...

    LOVE FM

    Minister of Education speaks on the education budget post-COVID
    As noted by the Prime Minister time and time again, Belize is in a financial bind. Millions are being diverted to assist the unemployed, to buy medical resources and equipment in the COVID-19 fight and they are trying to keep up with the salaries for public officers and teachers. When asked how the education budget will be impacted post-COVID, Minister Faber minced no words and explained that some promises may have to be broken.

    Schedule created for the Food Pantry Program
    The Food Pantry Program, which was launched last week, has seen plenty of issues that needed to be ironed out. In order to comply with social distancing regulations, the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation, has created a schedule for residents in Belize City to pick-up their supplies.

    Prime Minister opens the Placencia Ambition Forum with regional leaders on climate change
    ver the next two days, Belize is virtually hosting what is dubbed The Placencia Ambition Forum (PAF). The forum is having the participation of regional and international leaders who will engage in climate change negotiations with the central idea of increasing ambition and a focus on safeguarding the Paris Agreement. Among the official remarks made this morning for the opening was Belize’s, Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

    Cattle ranchers blocked from exporting to Guatemala
    Livestock producers have been seeing their fair share of difficulties since the COVID-19 pandemic. Just this past weekend, cattle exporters out west were blocked from what is dubbed an informal trade with Guatemala.

    Teachers and principals will be participating in online courses that will go towards their CPD hours
    Adjustments on the COVID-19 front as they relate to education will also have to be made by teachers. The Ministry of Education will be facilitating teachers and principals with online courses that would assist them in the accumulation of their professional development hours.

    Family wants answers in the death of a 25-year-old LGBT person
    A young man from Willow’s Bank, Belize District was found dead yesterday afternoon. Reporter Alisha Valentine has the story.

    ComPol comments on 7News
    Over the weekend, one local news station reported that there was a patient at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital displaying symptoms similar to COVID-19. It also indicated that the patient had exposed front line workers and that he had to be intubated due to respiratory distress.

    Primary School Examination and BJAT Exams cancelled for 2020
    Had it not been for COVID-19 the city streets would have been swarmed with students and teachers returning to school this morning. Unfortunately, this is not the case and for now, it is uncertain how soon students will be getting back into the classrooms.

    Police investigating alleged abuse inside station
    With the results of the post mortem examination on Ulysease Roca, it is uncertain whether the Professional Standards Branch will pursue its investigation into the alleged abuse conducted two weeks ago. What is for certain, however, is that the Commissioner is probing into a video that was made of Roca inside the police station.

    772 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Belize
    The latest figures coming out of the Ministry of Health have indicated that there are no new cases of COVID-19 detected in Belize. An updated infographic flyer was uploaded earlier this evening indicating that between 3 pm yesterday and today, ten additional tests were conducted bringing it to a total of seven hundred and seventy-two tests carried out.

    Police Confiscate Guns From Gang Members
    Late last week, one hundred and thirty seven men who were detained under the State of Emergency and remanded to the Belize Central Prison were released following the expiration of their thirty day stay.

    Breaking Belize NewsPJ

    Government faces continuing backlog in Unemployment Relief Program
    The Government of Belize has now approved about 45 percent of all applicants for the […]

    Over 770 tests conducted; no new case of COVID-19
    The Office of the Director of Health Services informed today that it has conducted 772 […]

    COVID-19 to Belize’s Economy
    By Shanidy Vasquez, Msc. Economics. The 2020 global economy is expected to lose USD $5 trillion to the COVID-19 (Novel Corona Virus) pandemic with Latin America and Africa being affected the most (JPMorgan, 2020). […]

    Government informs of new food pantry schedule
    The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation informs the public that starting […]

    Despite record low oil prices, a glimmer of hope for Belize’s struggling oil industry
    Original estimates from the Department of Geology and Petroleum had predicted that output from Belize’s […]

    Roderick Wade detained over sexual assault confessions
    BBN sources have confirmed that one Roderick Wade, alias “Tape Man,” is being held at […]

    Covid-19 Implications on Education and the way forward
    Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture When will schools reopen? Guidance for the reopening of schools will […]

    “It doesn’t come just like that:” Minister of Education says work is not done after promotion
    Perhaps the most eyebrow-raising portion of his statement this morning is Minister of Education Patrick […]

    Examinations for PSE and junior achievement (BJAT) will not be administered this academic year, CXCs canceled
    The usual Belize Junior Achievement Test (BJAT) and Primary School Examination (PSE), administered in Standard […]

    MOE on teachers’ roles, promotion and graduation during COVID-19 induced shutdown
    Teachers are not on holiday, Minister of Education Patrick Faber asserts. Their roles are key […]

    Minister of Education: ‘Can’t guarantee classes resume by June’
    By: Aaron Humes: Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, says he cannot guarantee the reopening of schools by the […]

    Ministry of Education to address plans for schools
    Today was supposed to be the first day back to school for Belize’s students after […]

    Basketball (NEBL) and football (PLB) leagues cancel ongoing seasons
    The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on sporting leagues around the world, and Belize’s […]

    Sixth consecutive day with no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Belize
    Sixth consecutive day with no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Belize Today makes the sixth consecutive day that […]

    Man found dead in Willows Bank home
    A man was found dead in his home in Willows Bank, Belize District around 2:00 […]

    Reflections-Positive lessons in Belize from the COVID-19 pandemic
    As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries, including Belize took drastic lock […]

    Blogs

    Belmopan’s Rising Art Pulse
    Belmopan, the quiet and unassuming capital of Belize, is considered a perfect place for retirement rather than youthful activity. However if you’re not paying attention, you’ll miss some of the details that make it great – like it’s rising art pulse. There is life here, there is talent, and there is a movement which has taken root. With proper nourishment, Belmopan can become an artistic oasis.

    Missing My San Pedro...
    Today, I sit looking out at the Belize Barrier reef, watching the waves hit. I long for the days when I, once again, hear the boats speeding by heading north to Matachica or Portofino. For now, I only get to hear the waves crashing with their thunder and beauty. I am not complaining as these moments of calmness feel like the earth has been given a gift. A gift of peace, and a gift of joy to just be…. I know our happy adventures here in Belize will soon be back. But for now I ponder, will life be different here in San Pedro? Will the businesses we used to frequent be back? Will our friends that left to go back to their loved ones come home again to San Pedro? When will that be? So many questions we have, so many unanswered thoughts to process. But for now, we wait…we wait for the world to get back to some sort of “normalcy”.

    International Sourcesizz

    IDB Webinar "How Caribbean Businesses Can Cope with the CoronaVirus"
    Caribbean Economies in the Time of the Coronavirus. The Caribbean is the world's most tourism-dependent region There is NO WAY we can wait for a vaccine to open our economies (way too long a period) but we are NOT going back to normal and tourists are not returning anytime soon. See the more nearer-term future for international tourism as travel in a "CoVid free corridor to CoVid free community" (using rapid result testing - this will need to be coordinated on a regional basis)

    Videos

  • The Ministry of Education's live stream on the state of Education in Belize, 1hr53min.

  • Lancha in the making, 6min.

  • Councelor Verlie Rebecca is here with us again!, 4min. The Belmopan Active Youths have Councelor Verlie Rebecca giving a positive message about staying home. Stay motivated and safe.

  • The Belize Zoo Needs Your Help!, 2.5min. The Belize Zoo is asking for help for one hundred and fifty plus residents. The zoo has closed its doors and, like many other entities, it is unable to earn funds during this time. Founding Director Sharon Matola says that they have received a positive support from the business community and many Good Samaritans. But the zoo needs additional support, so she is asking those who can give to please extend the generosity to the animals of the best little zoo in the world.

  • Subterranean Arthropods of Runaway Creek Nature Reserve, Belize, 4min. Written by my undergraduate students, Q. Redmond and Dana Hedman, this video was produced to support their science poster, which is being presented at the UGRADS Virtual Symposium at Northern Arizona University. The symposium runs from 20 through 24 April 2020. Produced by Q. Redmond.

  • San Pedro Island. Snorkel con Tiburones, 6min. Un viaje a las maravillas de San Pedro de Belize (La Isla Bonita de Madona) por la Gran Barrera de Coral y Nado con Tiburones. Un espectáculo natural único. Una de mis mejores experiencias de aventura.

  • Dive Amigo's Wreck Belize, 1/2min. The wreck is near the reef. Lay down at 15 to 22 meter depth. She becomes the reef fauna such as groupers, snappers, green moray also nurse sharks and turtles.

  • WHO Director-General's remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19 - 20 April 2020, 1hr30min. Good morning, good afternoon and good evening. First of all, I would like to wish all who have celebrated Orthodox Easter yesterday Happy Easter, including my own country Ethiopia. Today is the first day our press conferences are being interpreted in all official United Nations languages: Arabic, Chinese, ...

  • Walking around San Pedro Belize, 9min. This video shows our experience walking the streets and beaches of San Pedro, Belize. We show footage during the day and at night. We traveled to Ambergris Caye during August. It was a great time for us to go because we had the beach to ourselves and there was no waiting in lines at restaurants. If you want a more intimate trip, go during this time of year. The weather is still great. It's hot during the day, and the water feels great. At night, the temperature drops a bit, so a light jacket or long sleeve shirt may be needed.

  • Nino Arzu in Hopkins Belize, 2min.

  • Belize, Pontoon Ride on the Macal River, 4min. Vaca Lagoon pontoon boat tour.

  • Experience Cotton Tree Lodge Belize, 3min. Short video to give you an idea what Cotton Tree Lodge in southern Belize is like. Very remote, off grid, jungle lodge with loads of activity options. Caving, snorkeling, kayaking, exploring Mayan ruins, boating, fishing and of course culture options.

  • Despierta Belice April 20 2020, 3hr.

  • BELIZE STATE OF EMERGENCY: Day 28 | Update on the Coronavirus Quarantine in Belize, San Pedro, 24min. I haven’t watched this in full but he’s a traveler who’s decided to wait out quarantine on the island at Sandbar Beachfront Hostel and Restaurant. One American view on wadda gwan.

  • "Bringing the Zoo to You", 1.5min. The Belize Zoo is starting their "Bringing the Zoo to You" program. Jamal has a quick video about the zoo, and how its doing. "We are excited to launch our "Bringing the Zoo to You" program. We thank everyone who commented with their requests for topics and themes to learn more about. Keep an eye out for previews and updates!"

  • Pastor Chon - Orange Walk, Belize, 8min. My chat with Pastor Chon about the people and churches in Orange Walk, dealing with Covid-19, and praying for present/future ministry in Orange Walk, Belize.

  • Spearfishing Belize 2020 | River Fishing, 6min.

  • Garifuna blocked party Hopkins Belize Nov,17th, 22min.

  • Tarantula Hunting Part 1- Belize -2019, 4.5min.

  • Acción Deportiva, 30min.

  • The Plug, 25min.


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