S.I. 72 Comes Into Effect Today!

Chester Williams

The new state of emergency regulations under Statutory Instrument seventy-two came into effect today. While some of the restrictions were reduced other key measures remain in place for public health and safety. The national curfew remains in place from eight at night until five in the morning for adults and the under-sixteen curfew hours remain in place from six to six. The use of face masks in public continues, except when exercising. Physical distancing of six feet remains in place but this weekend six weeks after the strict regulations became law families will be able to move around and go to rivers and beaches and dine at restaurants. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams summarizes the restrictions that have been modified.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Regulation 72 does give more relaxation to our Belizean populace and again, I know that the waterways were one of the major concerns for people, especially knowing the climate situation we are having where it is extremely hot. So now, our Belizean people can now be comforted that they can now go to the waterways and enjoy it. But while you can enjoy it, there are some restrictions that go along with it. Some of those restrictions are that you can’t have no social activity alongside the waterway, which means yo can’t ker beer and go barbecue on the beachside or the riverbank; you cannot do that. If it is that you are going to be in the sea or river or lagoon, you must maintain social distance from any toher group that is not a part of your group. And once you are in the water, you can take off your mask and once you come out, yo put on back yo mask. If it is that you are going into a boat, the boat is limited to its seating capacity and nothing more. And most importantly, we ask that while you are in the waters, you exercise your own precaution to preserve life. We don’t want that people become too excited that they can now go into the river and sea after a month and a half and then we end up losing life because of drowning. Another relaxation is when it comes to exercising. You no longer have to exercise with masks. Once you are exercising, you can take off the masks so that you can breathe more properly. So again that is good for persons who do exercising. Restaurants are now allowed to dine, but again, ten persons the most around a table and there must be social distance. The churches are allowed to have ten persons within the social distance except for minors; they are not permitted. So there are a lot of relaxation and I know that the Belizean people are clamouring for more, but I ask that we just take our time and drink our soup. We are getting there slowly; at least we are in a far better position than many of our counterparts around us.”