Cabinet Looks At CARICOM Meeting in Belize, Opening of Borders and Agreement with Stevedores

In Cabinet news, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay, reported on the reopening of the land borders and seaports to the fully vaccinated. He indicated that since February seventh five thousand people have arrived or departed Belize through these border points. The Minister of Public Utilities, Michel Chebat, gave an update on the settlement reached with the Christian Workers Union on behalf of the stevedore at the Port of Belize. The Ministry of Health and Wellness gave an update on vaccination numbers, and said those aged twelve to seventeen are now eligible for boosters if their last shot was three or more months ago. Cabinet mandated that COVID-19 rapid tests be given free of cost by the Ministry of Health & Wellness to Belizean students traveling for purpose of study in Mexico and Guatemala. Students will be required to show a valid student identification card as proof of enrolment in an educational institution. Cabinet approved Belize’s signature and the subsequent ratification of the Caribbean Community Agreement on the Return or Sharing of Recovered Assets. Cabinet also endorsed the plan of action for Belize’s Chairmanship of CARICOM for the first half of 2022. Belize will host the thirty-third Intercessional Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, on March first and second. The CARICOM and S.I.C.A. Leaders’ Summit immediately follows on March third.