American Duo Quarantined in Placencia

Dr. Marvin Manzanero

Belize remains with zero active cases of COVID-19. A second wave of the virus is expected to hit and with neighbouring countries expected to reach their peak, it is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. There is one very serious threat that puts the safety of the public at great risk and that threat is posed by individuals who are entering the country illegally from countries where the virus is in high numbers and has not been contained.  One person was arrested on Wednesday for entering the country illegally and the Director of Health Services says this is cause for great concern. Doctor Manzanero also shared that two Americans who had left Guatemala via the sea en route to the U.S. are in quarantine after their vessel experienced mechanical failure and they requested assistance.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“If you are not able to ascertain that you have any more cases in Belize right now then it more than likely it has to be an introduction through the border. Recall that I can be an asymptomatic case coming through the border so we cannot be taking anybody coming through the border very lightly. We can anticipant to have a couple of more waves before the end of the calendar year, yes. I wasn’t aware of the ones yesterday. I was aware of the ones over the weekend. We had some in Placencia. The dock in Placencia is of three American nationals and they had requested assistance. They are in quarantine in an area in Placencia. Those persons were swabbed on Saturday. The results are negative but they will still complete their quarantine period. Twenty one days. They were going home and they had some mechanical incident and they asked assistance from Belizean authorities.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you know where they originated from?”

Dr. Marvin Manzanero

“From Guatemala I believe.”