Are Face Masks and Social Distancing Here to Stay?
The Ministry of Health is also preparing a proposal regarding the continued use of face masks after the State of Emergency expires at the end of the month. The proposal will be presented to the National Oversight Committee and will also contain guidelines for the continued practice of social distancing. After the proposal is made to the N.O.C., it will head to Cabinet which will make the final decision. Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero explains that not only is social distancing here to stay but the continued use of face masks is key in fighting the COVID-19 virus. Doctor Manzanero says that to keep Belize with a winning COVID-19 streak, the public must recognize its responsibility.
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services
“We are going to prepare a document for the NOC and that should go to Cabinet as to where the recommendation should be. We are establishing new norms regardless of whoever wants to accept it or not.”
Hipolito Novelo
“That including the social distancing protocol?”
Marvin Manzanero
Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“…which is here to stay, yes.”
Hipolito Novelo
“That proposal would it include the fines associated to not wearing a mask, that five thousand dollars fine?”
Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“Are you suggesting that it should be more?”
Hipolito Novelo
“No I am suggesting that it should be less because one might argue that the situation here in Belize has lessened in terms of seriousness for COVID-19. We have two cases and they are contained and quarantined. There is relaxation in the measures so why not relaxation in the fines?”
Dr. Marvin Manzanero
“Well that is something that can be looked at. From the public health standpoint I am not necessarily concerned about the fines. I am concern that people are not going to be getting ill. If we had internalized the message that we need to change our behaviour and we need to wear a mask properly in certain conditions then you would agree that we wouldn’t need to be talking about fines. But it doesn’t seem that we have gotten that message anywhere and that is why sometimes you have to fine people to change people’s behavior.”
