Work Resumes After Labor Day

Dean Barrow

A new statutory instrument to introduce another sixty-day state of emergency comes into effect on Friday.  Since May first is a public and bank holiday in observance of Labor Day, the private sector, those businesses that have been forced to shut down their operations, will not resume until Saturday.  This morning, the PM outlined a schedule of businesses that will now be allowed to reopen, including call centers where jobs are once again being advertised.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“Under the new S.I., all government departments and all statutory bodies will reopen on Monday, May fourth.  We have, naturally, added to the list of approved private sector businesses also permitted to operate; and those add-ons can actually begin on Saturday, May second, after the Labor Day holiday, if they normally employ Saturday opening hours.  Lawyers, accountants, real estate brokers, are some examples of private sector, professional service providers that are now on the approved list.  There is, as well, a category compendiously described as local manufacturers, under which our carpenters, building contractors, plumbers, electricians and so on, will also be able to operate.  The wholesalers and retailers are generally being freed up, and even call centers can reopen, particularly for training purposes.  Belize call center services are increasingly in demand as a result of the pandemic, and the call centers can take on well over a thousand new hires if training is allowed.  Very, very significant for the economy.”