News Five Checks Out Northern Border COVID-19 Protocols
Paul Lopez
The northern border has been reopened for approximately nine days and the agencies on the ground are confident that the protocols in place will allow for safe travel into Belize by foreign tourists. News Five’s Paul Lopez was given a tour of the Corozal facility today courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board. He got a firsthand look at the entry process foreign tourists must undergo by moving through the process himself.
Paul Lopez
“The Belize/Mexican border was closed to all travelers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But, that has changed. And now, foreign tourists are allowed to enter Belize through this land border entry point. Today, we are here to find out just what that process looks like in COVID-19 times.”
From the bridge that separates Belize and Mexican territory, Site Manager at the Northern Border, Ken Gladden and I made our way to the first check in station where we were met by hospitality personnel.
Inside the Immigration and Nationality booth, Immigration officers first seek to ensure that persons wanting to cross the border are genuine tourists.
Immigration Officer, Northern Border
“After that we go to your reservation and your PCR test.”
Mexican nationals traveling to the Corozal Free Zone do not undergo the same process at this point. These eager shoppers are simply greeted by hospitality and directed to the Corozal Free Zone entrance. There they will undergo a similar process from immigration and nationality to the health officials inside Ministry of Health’s booth.
Health Official, Northern Border
“May I have your passport and proof of PCR test sir?”
Paul Lopez
“Sure, here you go.”
A foreign tourist’s travel history is required. This includes the length of time the visitor has been traveling and what route was taken to arrive in Belize. Health officials make a copy of the PCR test after verifying that it meets the required 72 hours standard. The original test documents are kept at the border.
Paul Lopez
“In the event, let us say for arguments sake, I don’t have a PCR test, what happens now?”
Health Official
“We will just ask you to go to the cashier. We provide a COVID test for a fee of a hundred dollars.”
A receipt is given which allows for the traveler to take the covid-19 test. Once all clear is given, the visitor is required to leave the border in a gold standard hotel’s vehicle or a gold standard taxi.
Ken Gladden
Ken Gladden, Site Manager, Northern Border
“The protocols that are in place right now are very stringent and strict. We have full confidence in the way it is working. We do not have any real complaints. If there is any complaints or glitch, the Ministry of Health and Tourism, they collaborate and they work it out. They do changes. There is a change already that was made. Tourists used to book for one night, now they must book for three days in the country.”
Today, except for three students travelling to Mexico, no tourist made their way into Belize, at least not during our two hour visit. The Northern Border remains desolate grounds, with little to no traffic into Belize, and empty checkpoint booths. But, as the weeks progress, it is expected that traffic through this land border will increase, which many hope will translate into a much needed boost for the economy.
Ken Gladden
“Since the opening from the thirty first we have a trickling of an average of ten tourists daily which is very good for tourism. We need this country to open back. I think this is very good for the country to stimulate the economy.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
