Government
Belize Receives Second Batch of COVID-19 Vaccines from Mexico
On October 2, 2021, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Health & Wellness, received 100,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the Government of the United Mexican States through its embassy in Belize. The handing over ceremony was held at the Philip Goldson S.W. Goldson International Airport.
Government
CDC and Baylor College of Medicine Partner to Bring COVID Sequencing to Belize
On September 29, Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat joined U.S. Embassy Belmopan Medical Officer Sarah Kieffer and Dr. Kristy Murray, Director of the Center for Human Immunobiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, on a tour of the Belize Central Laboratory to view donated genomic sequencing equipment used to detect COVID-19 variants in Belize.
Government
Change: COVID-19 regulation mandating vaccination card or negative test applies only when accessing government buildings
The government has made changes to the new COVID-19 regulations set to start on October 1st. The new measures, designed to contain the spread of the virus, mandates that people provide proof of vaccination or a negative test to access public buildings and services. The new change, as per Minister of Health and Wellness Honourable Michel Chebat, will only apply to government-owned buildings.
Community and Society
Ambergris Caye not exempt from ‘No Movement’ Sunday
As part of the Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 106, this Sunday, September 26th and October 3rd, free movement across the country will be restricted, including San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, and Placencia, which are exempt from the countrywide 7PM curfew. The only movement allowed will be for essential services. The government has resorted to this measure to contain the increase in COVID-19 cases all over Belize.
Community and Society
New COVID-19 regulations go into effect today
New COVID-19 regulations under the Statutory Instrument No. 106 of 2021 come into effect today, Monday, September, 20th and will be in effect for two weeks. One of the new measures is a countrywide 7PM curfew except for the main tourism destinations-Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Hopkins. The exception will also accommodate restaurants in these destinations, allowing them to operate up to 75% of their seating capacity. At the same time, eateries across the rest of the country can only offer take-out services.
Government
U.S. Government Donates Mobile Field Hospital to Belize
On September 19th, 2021, U.S. Embassy Belmopan joined the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) for the official handover of a U.S.-funded mobile field hospital to the Belizean government. The field hospital donation is another pillar of the United States’ continuing commitment to helping Belize respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and other medical emergencies. On August 18, the United States donated the first tranche of more than 345,000 doses of the anti-COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine.
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.
Health
Vaccination campaign in San Pedro Town draws large crowds
Large groups of island residents have been lining up to get their vaccine against COVID-19. Long lines have been observed stretching south and north of the Lions Den on Barrier Reef Drive as hundreds of islanders seek to get vaccinated. For many, it is their first dose of the injection, while others are showing up for their second jab.