Borders Reopen for Belizeans Bound for Mexico and Guatemala
Missing their loved ones on the other side, it has been a long twenty-two months for Belizeans with family in Mexico or Guatemala. While tourists have been able to enter by land for some months now, it was only today that Belizeans could also go for purposes other than medical attention or some other special permission. This morning, News Five’s Paul Lopez crossed the northern border at Santa Elena and made his way to a downtown Chetumal hotel that was waiting with open arms to welcome their missing guests from Belize. Paul has some tips to make your travel as smooth as possible too.
Paul Lopez
Paul Lopez, Stand Up
The Belize Northern Border has been closed to Belizeans wanting to go across since April of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, that all changed today. By order of the Government of Belize, land borders are now re-opened. We spoke to a few Belizeans that we met at the border.
Alex Cordova
Alex Cordova, Belizean
“Well, I am really happy. We have relatives across the border. We always use to cross. It was really hard for us to be able to. I am very excited about this.”
Paul Lopez
“Where is more expensive in Belize or in Mexico?”
Alex Cordova
“Well like, it is a while I haven’t been there so I can’t tell you. But I guess everywhere is about the same, oh yes.”
Manuel Manzul
Manuel Manzul, Belizean
“It is good, it is ok. But, I am happy. It is time.”
Paul Lopez
“What are you going over Chetumal to do today?”
Manuel Manzul
“I gwen and see family.”
Paul Lopez
“It’s been a long time that you have seen your family.”
Manuel Manzul
“Yeah.”
Mr. Canul
Mr. Canul, Belizean
“ I nuh feel no way about it. All I should say is, we the people have to take care ah wih self. If we nuh have to guh cross dah Chetumal, we nuh guh cross, because we have everything weh wih need in Belize.”
Andres Cowo, Belizean Pesero
“ We dah money exchanger peseros, we dah wah cooperative.”
Andres Cowo
Paul Lopez
“The borders have been closed for two years. So, you haven’t been out here for two years. Is this your first day out?”
Andres Cowo
“Yes.”
Paul Lopez
“Tell us how you feel about the fact that you get to come out here again.”
Andres Cowo
“Well, I feel happy, glad, because now I could do a lee earning money for my family. I mih use to work only in my farm because of COVID you have to got some precaution of what is happening because I kinda lee old.”
Once we got to the immigration booth we were required to show our passports and proof of vaccination.
Ken Gladden
Ken Gladden, Site Manager, Northern Border Management
“This is routine work for border management. From the opening last May for tourism we have been preparing. Now, the big day has come. We have hired new staff. We are doing a lot of training with them. We are working along with the different agency workers, immigration and customs, so we are all prepared out here.”
Paul Lopez
“What is the same, and what is different?”
Ken Gladden
“Well, basically it is the same. The only thing that has changed is the new stipulation in the new S.I where the requirement that you have to be fully vaccinated to cross the border.”
Before crossing the Chactemal Bridge, we briefly visited the Ministry of Health’s station at the Northern Border were we spoke with Dr. Angela Gilharry.
Dr. Angela Gilharry
Dr. Angela Gilharry, Medical Chief of Staff, Corozal Community Hospital
“Upon departure there is a form that has been developed, very simple form, basic information, name, date of birth, passport number, border pass id numbers, signature and there is a small section for official use and that is where the immigration officer is going to date, stamp and sign that form upon exit. Now that form you are going to see a notice at the bottom, failure to produce this form upon return to Belize will require COVID-19 swabbing at the holder’s expense, ok.”
Every Belizean who spends an overnight in Mexico will be required to take a rapid test upon return at your own expense.
Dr. Angela GIlharry, Medical Chief of Staff, Corozal Community Hospital
“So we have three lanes, the first lane is dedicated for Free Zone and cargo traffic. The second lane will be for those that are doing the same day travelling. So at this point you are going to see one of our officers there, and they will be reviewing the departure cards that you are to present upon return. Once they confirm that it is the same date they will allow you to freely proceed. If you did more than one night, an overnight, then you will take the third lane. You will have to park and the first building is the check in health station.”
Paul Lopez
“So, we are in Chetumal, and we are about to enter Los Cocos Hotel. This place has been getting a lot of attention lately, particularly by Belizeans on social media, for their special Belizean rates and inviting decorations. So, we are about to meet with Nidia Alvarado, who is the General Manager here.”
Nidia Alvarado
Nidia Alvarado, General Manager, Los Cocos Hotel [Translated]
“We consider Belizeans our neighborly friends because they have always enjoyed coming to this hotel, because of our proximity to each other. That helps us a lot. And that is why we like to cater to our Belizean friends who choose to stay with us. We have always tried to participate in all the Belizean festivities. It has been two years since we have been able to celebrate the twenty-first of September with Belizeans. Unfortunately we have not been able to celebrate the Independence. We consider them to be very important for us because of their friendship.”
Paul Lopez
“What are the promotions for Belizeans right now?”
Nidia Alvarado, General Manager, Los Cocos Hotel [Translated]
“At this moment, for standard room rates for general public are one thousand three hundred pesos. But, for Belizean the special rate is eight hundred and fifty pesos. At the current exchange rate that is one hundred and six dollars Belize.”
The standard rooms include two beds. If you are willing to pay for greater luxury, you can choose from the premier rooms and villas, also at discounted rates. But of course, there will be no need for lodging if you only planning to travel only for a day, to dine at Church’s Chicken, Burger King, or to spend a pretty penny inside Liverpool.
I am Paul Lopez reporting from Chetumal for News Five
