New protocols in place in Belize to fight COVID-19
(Government of Belize Press Office Press Release) The Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 14th September 2021
.• Cabinet was updated on the status of vaccines and the number of vaccines available in Belize. As of 14th September 2021, 176,242 persons or 40% of the population had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This represents an increase of 3,165 new vaccinations over last week’s numbers. As of 14th September 2021, 81,229 persons or 18.8% of the population has been fully vaccinated, an increase of 4,950 over last week’s 74,874.
• Since the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccines, 17,172 Belizeans between the ages of 12 and 17 years have received their first shot of the vaccine.
• Starting, Monday, 20th of September 2021 and for the next two weeks the new measures are as follows:
– A curfew is imposed countrywide from 7:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. except for San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins, where the curfew will remain from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
– Restaurants will only be able to provide takeout service, except for restaurants in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins.
– Casinos and Churches are to be CLOSED.
– NO form of contact sports is allowed.
– Sunday, 26th September and Sunday, 3rd October 2021 will be declared NO MOVEMENT DAYS except for medical attention, to purchase medication, groceries or fuel.
• The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet of the details of the proposed offer by Belize to buy back the Superbond. Cabinet approved the terms and looks forward to a successful uptake by bondholders.
• Cabinet gave its approval for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration to enact regulations for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Community Skilled Persons Act for procedures associated with the application, issuance, upgrade, replacement, and verification of skill certificates, for the revocation, surrendering and cancelation of skill certificates; for procedures to be observed when an offence is committed; and for procedures for the maintenance of a register of qualified, skilled CARICOM nationals, and to repeal the fees levied on the appendence of skilled CARICOM nationals.
• Cabinet endorsed the establishment of a gaming and lotteries commission for Belize.
• Cabinet approved the reduction of fees and waiver of overdue fees for persons requiring visa extensions to remain in Belize, and who could not remain current due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Finally, Cabinet strongly urges the public to wear masks, maintain physical distance, wash hands regularly, and for those not fully vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccinations save lives.
Source: CARICOM TODAY