Monthly Archives: October, 2020

The 2020 Full Tariff Review Proceeding (FTRP) concluded on October 28, 2020 with the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Final Decision reducing the current Mean Electricity Rate (MER) of 41.51 cents per kWh to 40.18 cents per kWh to take effect January 1, 2021 through to June 30, 2024.

Party Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) John Briceño travelled to San Pedro Town on Thursday, October 29th, where later in the evening he presented his party’s tourism plan. Briceño said that it was more than appropriate to present such plan on the island which is considered the prime tourism destination in the country.

BRS Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. denies land grab close to election time, adding that former mayor Elsa Paz and BTB Director Karen Bevans have earned the right to a piece of land in their service to community and country.

The United Nations through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund handed over 30,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 150 test kits, and various essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to support the Government of Belize to curb the spread of COVID-19. The total value of equipment and supplies is estimated at USD $118,000.00. The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over the items to the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero; Principal Public Health Inspector, John Bodden; and HECOPAB Technical Advisor, Kathleen Azueta-Cho, on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

On October 13, 2020, Cabinet gave its full approval for the financial provisions of amendments to certain sections of the Defence (Pensions and Other Grants) Regulations. These amendments bring the Pensions Regulations in alignment with the newly revised Defence Act and to provide for equitable pension benefits to be received by the Belize Defence Force enlisted personnel as well as its officers.

All Bus Operators (Bus Owners) are hereby reminded of their responsibility to sell tickets at the Bus Terminals as mandated by the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulation and the Quarantine (Prevention of the spread of infectious disease) (Covid 19) Regulations, 2020 (Statutory Instrument No. 136 of 2020). Bus drivers and conductors are to sanitize buses before transporting passengers and are to refrain from carrying passenger in excess of the seating capacity. Bus Drivers who are caught transporting excessive passengers will be prosecuted.

There was an initial desktop review of surveillance, containment measures, and random testing across the prison on October 27, 2020. This has resulted in 190 samples being processed with the SD Biosensor rapid antigen tests and 90 samples being reactive for COVID-19.

Under the current Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 136 of 2020 Quarantine (prevention of the Spread of Infectious Disease) (COVID-19) Regulations, only establishments that serve food can be open, and alcohol consumption is only allowed if customers are having a meal. On the island, many restaurants and bars have operated under one Publican Special license. It now seems that this liquor license only applies to bars, which are not allowed to open under the current SI. For businesses that operate both as a bar and restaurant but are now limited to function solely as a restaurant, the San Pedro Town Council now requires them to obtain a Restaurant liquor license. Many on the island have recently received the necessary license and are conducting business like a restaurant that only serves alcohol with a meal. Following a meeting on Tuesday, October 27th between members of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and representatives of the local health authority, licensing board, and police department, it was agreed that establishments who recently obtained a Restaurant license, but were not inspected by the required health and safety officials, should be closed until Monday, November 2, 2020. According to the Mayor, once they are approved, they can reopen. The inspection will focus on ensuring that applicants have the adequate facilities required for a full-service kitchen.