Changes in Quarantine Regulations to Take Effect on February 1st
The government is soon to announce new quarantine measures, which will take effect on February first. But what will those restrictions look like? Since December, there has been a curfew in place from eight p.m. to five a.m., along with the mandatory mask use, practicing social distancing, a maximum gathering of ten persons, and a ban on interdistrict travelling for the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. Since then, there has been an overall reduction in the number of active cases. The additional restrictions in the north seem to have made some impact. So, will similar measures be implemented in Belize or Cayo Districts where an increase in cases has been reported? Minister Michel Chebat was very guarded with his response to the new measures when we asked him this afternoon.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness
“I am not gonna really speak about that right now, but I can tell you that we have been listening to the public. We know what are the needs out there, but at the same time, from the Ministry of Health and Wellness point of view, we have an obligation to safeguard our citizens. And so we are looking at some changes for the first of February, but I cannot say what they are.”
Duane Moody
“Is the curfew really effective? Will that stand?”
Michel Chebat
“Well I think absolutely it is. If you see, as a matter of fact, the numbers have been decreasing. They have been decreasing. And yes it is true that in Cayo and Belize Districts, we have seen an upsurge in number, but for example in the northern districts where we actually implemented and interdistrict travelling, a ban, you have seen the numbers go down dramatically. So I beg to argue with you and differ with you that in fact the regulations we have in place are working, the curfew has worked. The fact that we’ve stopped the sale of liquor very earlier on in the evening are also factors that are contributing to the lowering of the numbers.”
Duane Moody
“So maybe interdistrict ban in movement for Belize district and Cayo as well?”
Michel Chebat
“Stay tuned.”
