BEL hereby informs the public that regrettably, one of our employees in the San Pedro Service area has tested positive for COVID-19. The Company is providing full support to our employee and his family. We continue to adhere to all safety precautions in the interest of customers, our employees and the public.
Since April 6, 2020, all BEL Customer Service Centers countrywide have been closed to the public, with the exception of cashier services at Mile 2½ on the Philip Goldson Highway in Belize City. The cashier service, at the Corporate Headquarters, have remained opened; however, the services have been provided from an outdoor facility since April 27, 2020.
Our Customer Service Center in San Pedro has remained closed to the public since April 6, 2020. Our fellow employee, who tested positive, had been working on rotation in an isolated area in the office since that time and had minimal contact with other employees working in San Pedro. Where there were interactions, the employees had maintained adequate social distance and were wearing masks at all times. All employees are required to wear masks, maintain six feet or more of physical distance, and to wash and sanitize hands regularly.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis and the threat to Belize earlier this year, BEL was proactive in its planning and preparation by establishing a Pandemic Plan, a COVID Preparedness and Response Committee (COPRES), and arranging for staff to work from home, were possible, even before required by regulations, with particular attention to high-risk employees. The focus continues to be on preserving the health and safety of our customers, the public, employees and their families.
We will continue to look after the wellbeing of our employee and pray for a full and speedy recovery. In the meantime, we are working closely with the Ministry of Health and our private medical practitioner to provide full support to our fellow employee through to full recovery.
BEL remains resolute in playing our part to minimize and stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout the country. We appeal to our fellow Belizeans, to take personal responsibility to slow and stop the spread of this life-threatening virus. We must continue to be consistent and be strict with wearing our facemasks properly, regularly washing and sanitizing hands, practicing physical distance of six feet or more and avoiding crowded settings.
We remain committed to the safety and wellbeing of our customers, the public, employees and their families, as our work continues to keep the lights on.
