ComPol Explains Confusion with Stores Being Shut Down on Saturday

Chester Williams

The reopening of some businesses started on Saturday morning following the announcement of the new statutory instrument. Many stores in downtown Belize City opened their doors after weeks of closure but no sooner than they had begun serving their customers in the downtown area of the City, police officers arrived to shut them down.  There seemed to have been some confusion about businesses that were allowed to reopen, including the popular Mikado Store, as opposed to those that are to remain closed until further notice.  At least two business establishments elsewhere in the country were shut down and their proprietors arrested and charged for operating a bar.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“On the second of May we had a number of business establishments that were open on Albert Street that were not supposed to be opened and we quickly closed them down.  There was some confusion on their part and so we quickly closed them down and told them that they could not open because the law did not permit them, but some adjustments were made since then to the law and so they were allowed to open this morning.  But again, we continue to go after the business establishments that open that should not be opened and I can tell you that many of these establishments are owned by Asian businesspersons and a few owned by Belizeans.  But it doesn’t matter for us; once it is that you open and you should not be opened you will be arrested and charged.”