Community and Society

With 69 passengers on a boat, the total of people evacuated from Ambergris Caye totals around 200. All were stranded when the island went on lockdown following the confirmation of the first positive case of COVID-19.

Minimizing the movement of persons is directly proportional to minimizing the movement of the virus, thus the Ministry asks for understanding and appreciation of the scope of this nation-wide operation.

As part of the Lord Ashcroft COVID-19 Relief Fund to Belize, $100,000 has been earmarked to Hope Haven to continue assisting families during the pandemic crisis - particularly in supplementing grocery donations to these families.

While Belize Coast Guard Commandant Elton Bennett initially indicated that stranded residents could start coming back home, the amended SI No. 47 2020 prohibits people from traveling within districts. As such, he has retracted his previous statement.

25 Latin American and Caribbean countries expressed their commitment to coordinate the supply of sufficient, safe and nutritious food for the 620 million inhabitants of the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to make its presence in Belize, and the current National State of Emergency is slowly bringing the country to a halt, many services are now limited to the general public. On Sunday, April 5th, most bus companies across the country ceased operations. The only bus companies that continue operating are James Bus Line, which runs from Punta Gorda, Toledo District to Belize City, and Westline Bus Company operating from the Benque Viejo del Carmen Town in the Cayo District to Belize City.

People who have been stranded on the island following the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, which has paralyzed the economy on Ambergris Caye, have been trying to get back to their mainland homes since March 23rd when public transportation was suspended. Days later, an evacuation scheduled for Saturday, April 4th was suddenly postponed. However, on that same day, a different group of about 60 persons was not able to leave the island via five separate boats, and an additional nine on Sunday, April 5th. According to a source with the Ministry of Health (MOH) on Ambergris Caye, the groups that managed to leave were not part of the scheduled run that was postponed. Those allowed to leave had previously been identified, screened, and their departure cleared by MOH.

The evacuation of mainland residents off the island scheduled for today Saturday, April 4th, was postponed until further notice. The decision was reportedly taken by the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) in San Pedro Town, who reconsidered this action. According to a message from the EOC, they are asking those that had signed up to leave San Pedro today, to be patient as proper procedures must be finalized and put in place to ensure the safety of all. The new evacuation date will be announced as soon as all plans have been confirmed.