Celebrating Valentines in COVID Times
Like all other celebrations in the past year, this February – the month of love – doesn’t feel quite the same. Even with restrictions in place, our reporter Duane Moody found out that Belize City residents are still looking forward to the celebration while staying safe at home. What about finding a gift for a special someone? Hard to imagine in these difficult times, but as we found out today, even businesses are showing some love by adjusting prices and packages for the special occasion.
Belize City Resident #1
“I actually love Valentine’s Day; I think it is romantic and sweet and it makes you think about people that you maybe haven’t thought about in a while. Send something, give something, share the love.”
Duane Moody
“How you di celebrate Valentine’s this year?”
Belize City Resident #2
“Just stay home and stay safe.”
Belize City Resident #3
“Staying home and enjoying my quality time with my loving family.”
Duane Moody, Reporting
….for one couple from Belize City, they will be getting married on Valentine’s Day after being together for almost two decades. Meanwhile, others will be going on a romantic getaway trip away from home with their special someone. But with the realities of COVID, what are your options? The Marketing Manager at the San Cas Group says they’ve created packages for every budget and even created special packages for men.
Aisha Trapp
Aisha Trapp, Marketing Manager, San Cas Group
“We do want to add a little something special and we want to make it affordable for you so we have many options here. Whether you want to cook something nice for your children, for your spouse, for your family; you can come on down here. Discounts on our chocolates, on our wines, on our macaroni and cheese, biscuits, snacks and this I what we are doing as Bottom Dolla to give back to our community.”
…treats for the entire family. But whether you are going to spend February fourteenth with your partner or with family, you must still adhere to the quarantine regulations in place. So to stay connected, you can “Shop in the Name of Love.”
Karan Sabnani
Karan Sabnani, Co-Owner, Cellular World
“Shop in the Name of Love” – we have a lot of deals; this year we did something different. Normally, we’d go with a matchmaker sale and bundle stuff. This year we went with individual items, but obviously slashed prices. Due to COVID, we know people are stretching their dollar. We have those Samsung lovers; that the latest S21, 21Plus, 21Ultra. We also have for the Iphone lovers; we have the 12, the 12Pro, 12Max so we have all the latest stuff and we also have lower end stuff. We have androids at one-fifty-five, basic Bluetooth phones at thirty-nine dollars; tablets, laptops.”
…and for that traditional flower arrangement, you can head on over to downtown Albert Street where bouquets sales are lined up street side.
Kamri Allen
Kamri Allen, Floral Arrangements
“I will be out here from today till about Saturday from nine to about six o’clock so you can come and get these beautiful bouquets for your loved ones.”
Duane Moody
“What’s the cost like for these?”
Kamri Allen
“The small ones are thirty-five dollars and the big ones are fifty dollars.”
Meanwhile, Aurelio Sho of 13 Qanil Productions is documenting love stories during this COVID Valentine and is giving prizes to the four winning entries.
Aurelio Sho
Aurelio Sho, Producer, Ko’ox ti Ok’ot Maya Cultural Program
“We are not looking at the technicality or the grammar structure, but simply to being able to showcase by creating an original experience, to put it into writing, having that unique Belizean context that showcase your culture or the place where the event took place.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
