A New Curfew is in Effect for All of Belize
Michael Peyrefitte
At the start of the week, the states of emergency for COVID-stricken communities, including Guinea Grass, Shipyard and Santa Marta in the north and San Pedro in central Belize have been extended for an additional two weeks. Along with the extension is a nationwide curfew that came into effect on Sunday night which requires everyone who is not considered an essential worker indoors by eight o’clock, except for Friday and Saturday when the restriction on movement is relaxed for an extra two hours. Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, during an appearance on the weekend edition of Ask the Experts, elaborated on the details of the curfew.
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
“You heard the prime minister in the house as well, table a motion to extend both the San Pedro, Guinea Grass, Shipyard, Santa Marta areas for two more weeks and as well extend the one for the rest of the country for two more weeks. So these regulations will be in effect until about early September, as well as San Pedro, Santa Marta, Guinea Grass, Shipyard, those will be on lockdown until September. All businesses, notwithstanding your license, you must close at seven, Sunday to Thursday. Friday and Saturday, weh time da di curfew, ten [o‘clock]? You must close at nine.”
Dorian Pakeman, Director of Government Press Office
“And the rationale behind that is to give people time to get home…”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Time to get home and time to transition from the business to home. Now let me explain the critical part, now this is where people, for example, di term weh we use, get cute. On a Friday or a Saturday, your business by license is only allowed to open until eight, but you hyah I seh that all businesses must close nine, so your license only allow you fi open til eight, but because you know all businesses must close at nine, you stretch on to nine. No. You will close at nine o’clock, for example, on a Friday night or whichever time yoh license seh yo fi close, whichever one earlier.”
