Thursday, March 28, 2024

Yearly Archives: 2020

Almost 200 persons arrested and charged for breaching quarantine regulations

The Commissioner of Police (ComPol) Chester Williams reported on Tuesday, December 29th, that 176 persons nationwide were arrested and charged with offenses under the current Quarantine Regulations over the Christmas holiday weekend. The regulations, recently established to reduce the number of infections relating to COVID-19, introduced a new curfew, restriction on public transportation, the sale of alcohol and warned those breaking the law of new fines for both employers and employees.

After COVID-19: the long-term effects

COVID-19 has not only caused a massive pandemic, destroying economies and killing thousands every day; long after some survivors are declared COVID-free, some remain with long-term effects known as post-COVID syndrome. Patients who have recovered from the virus and continue to experience symptoms have been described as ‘long haulers,’ suffering from long-term health issues to the lungs, heart, and brain.

Sugar Industry Control Board Holds Special Meeting to Revise Crop Production Estimates

Due to more than 2,700 cane farmers' concern, a special meeting was held to discuss and review sugar production estimates for 2020-21 previously presented by the Sugar Cane Production Committee.

Minister of Health Officially Renames Mopan Polyclinic

In a small ceremony held on December 23rd in Benque Viejo Town, the Minster of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, unveiled the new name of the Mopan Polyclinic. This health facility will now be referred to as the Drs. Kevin and Kenneth Guerra Polyclinic II.

Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association disapprove of the Cane Farmer Register

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association strongly denounce the blatant irregularities committed in the process of determining and approving the Cane Farmer Register for the 2020/2021 sugar cane crop. An analysis of the production estimates assigned to the registered cane farmers in this Register show a gross injustice to the majority of cane farmers, who have been trying at all costs to restore their production levels that were affected by the drought and floods.

Belize Exports First Shipment of Chicken to CARICOM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise is pleased to announce that on December 23, 2020, Belize exported 16,000 lbs of assorted chicken meat to Grenada, the first ever shipment of poultry products to the CARICOM region.

Customs and Excise, along with Living Word Church, reach out to several island families with Christmas Toy Drives

The spirit of Christmas continues in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The usual activities that see the underprivileged getting goodie bags and presents were not interrupted this year despite the current crisis caused by COVID-19. On Friday, December 18th, Customs and Excise, and the Living Word Church reached out to families and children with toys, fruits, refreshments, and bags full of groceries.

Important notes on recent COVID-19 regulations

The current new Statutory Instrument (SI) regarding the COVID-19 regulations came into effect on Sunday, December 20th, and will remain in effect until further notice. The SI introduced a new curfew and limits inter-district travel, particularly from the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. There is also a restriction on public transportation capacity by 50%, the sale of alcohol, and new fines for employers and employees for violations against the regulations. These new regulations were approved to reduce the number of infections, given the fact that during the Christmas season, people tend to engage in large gatherings.