Government Enacts Countrywide Safety Measures in Response to COVID-19

Michael Peyrefitte

There is no national shutdown, but government today instituted strict safety measures country to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus. The COVID-19 crisis has paralyzed chunks of Belize’s economy and threatens widespread devastation.  Countries like Spain, Italy, Iran, and even the great United States have been experiencing a losing battle against the novel coronavirus.  Here in Belize, authorities are putting in measures to contain the two confirmed cases. Those cases are in San Pedro Town where a state of emergency has been declared. The island remains on lockdown tonight and the rest of the country will now comply with quarantine measures such as limitation of gatherings now reduced from twenty-five to ten persons and the practicing of social distancing. Attorney General explained the COVID-19 safety measures when he appeared in today’s session of Ask the Experts.

Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General

“The country is not on lockdown. The country has not been quarantine. That is not the case. All that has happened is that the Quarantine Authority has issued certain rules for us to follow to ensure that there are best practices in place to prevent the spread or occurrence of COVID-19 in your area especially in your home. Three feet away from each other in a public space. If you live in private property then whatever people live there. If it is more than ten everybody has to live there. Public transportation, only seating capacity on the bus and every time the bus stops at terminal it must be sanitized and the people coming on it must sanitize their hands before getting in the bus for example. Casinos close. Spas, beauty salons and barber shops close. Gyms, sporting complexes are to be closed. Discos, bars, rum shops and night clubs are to be closed. Except restaurants, those establishments that have a restaurant license are to deal with takeout service only. Those restaurants that have liquor licenses or those shops that have liquor licenses you sell your liquor and you are per the license take that liquor away and not consume it on the premises.”