D.H.S. Comments on Contraband Canoes Returned to Santa Cruz Villagers

Marvin Manzanero

Earlier this week, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams gave the order for over a dozen contraband canoes to be returned to the villagers of Santa Cruz in Orange Walk.  The canoes were confiscated a few months ago with the objective to reduce border-jumping in the area.  Returning the canoes to the villagers has caused many to worry that the COVID-19 number will surge in the area.  But Director of Health Services, Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that it is the Mexicans across Botes that should be worry about cross contamination.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“I am not so sure which canoes you are talking about Hipolito but that is an interesting situation. We do monitor as you know we have always have been monitoring in the neighboring state of Quintana Roo and what happens in Peten by their numbers. Our active case though is significantly higher in Orange Walk and Corozal much more than their one. It was similar to ours back perhaps first two weeks of august so I don’t know if the risk is there. Of course the less interaction that you have overall with other communities the less likely it is that you will be escalating those numbers. But at this point in time our one is higher that their own so that there is where the concern will be. Perhaps they should now be concerned of that cross contamination but of course you are trying to limit interactions as much as you can with other communities.”