G.O.B. Approves Central Quarantine Facility

Michael Peyrefitte

Law enforcement officers here in Belize for months have been having difficulties in successfully securing the porous border to the west and north. Scores of borders jumpers have been caught, arrested, and quarantined. These persons are often contrabandistas to bring in contraband goods primarily from Mexico to retail on this side.  But there have been several instances where border jumpers escape the quarantine facilities that are scattered across the country.  To deal with the escapees, cabinet has approved the funding for a central quarantine facility that will be located at Baldy Beacon in the Cayo District, away from the population. The plan was announced today by Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte during the sitting of the Senate. He said that the facility will be able to house one hundred border jumpers who will be properly guarded.

Michael Peyrefitte, U.D.P. Senator

“Two weeks ago, cabinet had approved some funding and just yesterday we approved the beefing up of the facilities in the De Silva Camp in the Mountain Pine Ridge Area, Baldy Beacon area, far away and secluded where these border jumpers will be taken directly to, tested along with the Ministry of Health and only when they are deemed to be COVID negative will they be brought to the court to be arraigned before the magistrate and in the event that they are granted bail by the Supreme Court the plan is that by then the time will pass enough for that person to be deemed COVID negative before entering the general population. There will be a facility that can house up to close to one hundred people at the same time in the Baldy Beacon Area, well guarded by the Belie Defence Force, funding for some specialize vehicle to take them up there given the road conditions and for additional security to protect those people. So instead of having quarantine centers in the north, south, east and west you will have one center that deals strictly with people who have broken the law.”