Belizeans Encouraged to Report Any COVID Symptoms at Border
The protocols at the borders include showing proof of vaccination, and if you spend longer than twenty-four hours outside Belize, you must be tested. Since the start of the year, Mexico and Guatemala have been recording a spike in COVID-19 cases. So, there are some activities you may want to consider staying clear of when traveling. We asked the health experts if they have any recommendations.
Dr. Melissa Diaz- Musa
Dr. Melissa Diaz- Musa, Deputy Manager, Central Health Region
“What we will put in place when you leave on Monday, you will be given a small record for health that will have the date stamped and general information for you. When you return you will hand that back to the public health inspector that will be doing screening at that point. If you are ill, obviously we would like you to say to us, I have a fever; I am not well, because the whole purpose is for us to detect very early and isolate early, and get treatment early if you are un-well.”
Paul Lopez
“Are there any recommendations for Belizeans in terms of places they may want to avoid things they may want to avoid doing?”
Dr. Melissa Diaz- Musa
“No, not that we know about Mexico, it is like if you go to the States you have every right to do whatever you choose to do when you go on holiday. When you come in then we need to pick up if you are positive very quickly.”
Paul Lopez
“In Mexico, clubs are opened, parties are ongoing, are you recommending to Belizeans to avoid these types of mass gatherings as you ask them to do in Belize?”
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“We, it is on us the individual, on the person to know where ever you are, follow the protocols. If you know that being in crowded places you are more susceptible to catching the virus, it is up to us to ensure that we try to prevent ourselves from catching the virus.”
Reporter
“So you expect that just as they don’t care here, they won’t care there either?”
Kevin Bernard
“Like I said, the responsibility is upon the individual. It is upon me and you to do what’s right to ensure we keep safe from catching this virus.”
