Following the re-opening of the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) the first group of tourists/visitors touched down in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye on Thursday, October 1st via Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. The PGIA had been closed to commercial flights since March 23rd of this year, following the first cases of COVID-19 in Belize.
Shortly after 1PM, the first domestic flights landed on the island with a handful of international visitors. After picking up their luggage, they were whisked away in approved transportation to their Gold Standard Hotels, where they are to spend most of their time during their stay in San Pedro.
One of the visitors shared with The San Pedro Sun that they are happy to be in Belize and was satisfied with the screening process at PGIA. They said that the process was better than expected and it was a well-organized process.
Process at PGIA
Tourists arriving with a negative PCR test done within 72 hours move quickly through the expedited arrival processing section. If they do not bring a PCR test result, a rapid COVID-19 test will be done at the PGIA for a cost of US$50. These visitors will then be allowed to continue through immigration and customs and head to their Gold Standard accommodation via an approved mode of air or ground transportation. Those who take a rapid test at the international airport will receive their COVID-19 test results at their hotel. If they test positive, they will be quarantined at the hotel for 14 days at their own expense.
In addition, every foreign visitor must download the Health App (https://conta.cc/367KrQJ) and complete the required information to receive a unique ID to travel within the Tourism Safety Corridors, which limits the places and activities tourists can do while in the country. This includes approved Gold Standard Hotels, transportation, and tour operators.
The number of arrivals to Belize over the weekend is expected to reach a little over 700 persons. The majority of these travellers are Belizeans and permanent residents, who are returning home. After being cleared at the PGIA, Belizeans and permanent residents are expected to go into isolation in their homes for ten days before the Ministry of Health clears them to move around.
