MOH to Implement COVID-19 Prevention Protocols for Repatriated Belizeans

Marvin Manzanero

Since the government announced that it will be receiving its citizens, who got stuck in countries abroad when the airport and borders were closed, Belizeans have been preparing to return home. One group, Mennonite businessmen, returned earlier this week. But more Belizeans are expected in the coming weeks, particularly on repatriation flights.  So, what happens when those Belizeans arrive at the P.G.I.A.?  Well, health officials will be on the ground to ensure that all COVID-19 prevention protocols are followed.  During today’s Ask the Experts webcast, we asked the Director of Health Services about those steps to be taken. Here’s how he explains what will happen when those Belizeans return either through the P.G.I.A. or the border points.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“One of the conditions that we asked for is that we needed a census that is one. We need to know when people are going to be coming in; the amount of people that are coming in, especially if it is going to be coming through the airport. And if it is not coming in through the airport and it is through the land border, we will ask that that specific group or wherever, the amount that is decided to come on a specific day, a specific time and we have all your data. So, upon arrival you will go through a quick questionnaire, a quick temperature check because we are going to assume that all of the people are asymptomatic. If they have any sign or symptom they will more than likely be swabbed there and they will still all proceed to the quarantine hotel because this is going to be a controlled – they are going to go to a controlled quarantine facility and they will be there for fourteen days. Our job as health is that we are going to go and check up on you once a day or call you once a day to determine how you are doing. At day fourteen we are going to take a swab and if you are negative you are going to be allowed to leave the quarantine facility. If you are positive, then that becomes your day one of day twenty-one.”