Community and Society
9PM curfew to remain at Belize’s top tourism destinations
Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Hopkins villages were spared the countrywide 7PM curfew as part of new regulations that go into effect on Monday, September 20th for two weeks. The exception means their curfew will remain from 9PM to 4AM. Another exception benefiting these key tourism areas is that restaurants will be allowed to accommodate up to 75% of their seating capacity.
Community and Society
Belize prepares for stricter COVID-19 measures; makeshift hospital erected in the capital
News is that Prime Minister Honourable John Briceño will address the nation today regarding COVID-19 and introduce new regulations. As the country awaits the anticipated message, the situation with COVID-19 is worrisome, with an increase in cases and deaths. A field hospital has been erected at the University of Belize gymnasium to prepare for the worst and support the health department.
Government
Ministry of Rural Transformation Receives Truck and Water Bowser
At a handing-over ceremony held on September 13, 2021, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government received a truck and water bowser from the Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) Project, being implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and National Climate Change Office (NCCO).
Government
Minister of Health and Wellness says GOB will implement mandatory vaccination card or negative COVID-19 test before accessing public buildings
Today, September 9th, the Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Michel Chebat, announced that a new measure would require every Belizean to present a vaccination card of present a negative COVID-19 before entering public government buildings, private establishments, and even schools. This initiative will be debated at Cabinet before going into effect on October 1st.
Business & Economy
GOB makes Historic Equity Investment in DFC
The Government of Belize (GOB) has made an equity investment of BZ$31.1 million into the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) comprising of a Debt-to-Equity Swap and a Conversion to Equity of two agency accounts namely, the European Union Sugar Cane Replanting Program (SCRP) and the Belize Rural Credit Fund Program (RCF).
Government
Ministry of Agriculture Holds Discussions with Cane Farmers’ Associations
A meeting was held on September 2, 2021 between the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, leaders of the sugar cane producing associations, and other stakeholders at the headquarters of the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute in Buena Vista, Corozal District. The discussions focused on the commercial agreement between farmers and Belize Sugar Industries Limited/American Sugar Refining Group (ASR/BSI), and the Sugar Industry Act review process that all parties are engaged in.
Government
Field Visit to Flood Prone Areas in San Ignacio and Santa Elena Towns to Request Funding from the GCF
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment, as the National Designated Authority to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), Galen University and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) participated in a field trip organized by the San Ignacio/Santa Elena (SISE) Town Council to flood prone sites in the Twin Towns on September 2, 2021.
Government
Belize Participates in Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2021
From September 1 to 2, 2021, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, participated in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2021 and the Twenty-First Regular Meeting of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture (IABA) hosted by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). The meetings were held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions.