Prime Minister John Briceño Shares Christmas Message
John Briceño
It’s Christmas Eve and as families across the country do last-minute Christmas shopping and preparations, political leaders of both major parties have shared their annual season’s greetings to the country. But unlike past Christmas messages, this year Prime Minister John Briceño’s message touched on the traditions that could no longer be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is going to be a difficult Christmas for thousands of families who have been affected by the pandemic. With more than forty-five thousand Belizeans unemployed this time around, the traditional sharing of multiple gifts may not be experienced this year. PM Briceño says that the best gift to give is to adhere to the COVID-19 quarantine regulations.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Now I know the joy that accompanies the holiday season has been greatly dampened by the COVID-19 pandemic which has caused many of us to lose close relatives and friends. For many more has caused tremendous hardships. This Christmas more than forty five thousand Belizeans are unemployed and more will be unable to buy presents and have the kind of Christmas we’re all accustomed too. Still there’s always a reason to find hope at Christmas time. This year we can get together with our immediate family and make unique and special presents, cook a meal together, attend church virtually, sing our favourite Christmas songs and do all we can to make Christmas special especially for the children. At work while we cannot host parties and dinners we can use the funds to assist wonderful amazing frontline workers, show them how much we appreciate their sacrifice and service and I know I speak for all of us when say to healthcare personnel sanitation workers police BDF and all who risk their lives every day to assist with the pandemic, thank you for your service. Whatever we do this holiday season remember a Christmas is about love. It is about giving and about caring. Our true Belizean Christmas is not actually for sale in any story. It really is about sharing. So let’s share by staying home and spending time with just those of our household. Let us use technology to reach out to our friends and neighbours. Remember the best gift we can give them this year is to keep each other safe. Yes I know it is not what we wanted but our Belizean Christmas with friends, party and large family gatherings will happen again. I know it but for now let us be safe.”
