New COVID-19 Strain Found in Mexico; Czl Free Zone Reopens on Feb. 1st.

The Corozal Free Zone will reopen in less than two weeks on February first. There is a lot at stake with the reopening of the zone and serious preparations are underway to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus, especially since Mexico has recorded one point six-five million cases and more than one hundred and forty thousand deaths.  What is even more worrisome is that the UK strain has been detected in Mexico.  This new strain of the novel coronavirus has a higher transmissibility rate.  Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat says that when deciding to reopen the free zone, local officials gave serious consideration to the discovery of the new strain in Mexico and that as much protection is being put in place to prevent a spread at the free zone.

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness

“That is part of the consideration Hipolito. The team at the Ministry was actually looking at the conditions under which we would recommend the opening of the Free Zone. We are very much aware the new strain is in Mexico and so we are making sure we put together as best as much protection as we can to ensure that the Free Zone can be opened in a safe way.”

Michel Chebat

Hipolito Novelo

“So there won’t be a delay as it comes to the reopening of the Free Zone in February.”

Michel Chebat 

“I don’t want to say yes or no yet. What I will tell you is that we are working on the protocols that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will require before the Free Zone can formally open.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Are you aware whether or not Baylor College has found new strains here in Belize?”

Michel Chebat

“I know that they are part of our team whose investigating but to date we have no evidence that the new strain is in Belize.”