Are U.S. Travelers Concerned About Low Vaccine Uptake in Belize?
And while those are the minister’s response, is the low vaccine uptake in Belize a concern for U.S. travelers? North American tourists constitute a large percentage of Belize’s tourism revenue. Do they feel safe traveling to Belize currently? Here is how the Chargé d’Affaires responded?
Paul Lopez
“Is it of any concern to the US, the low percentage of Belizeans that have received the vaccine and the high percentage of Belizeans yet to receive the vaccine? How do you communicate that to US travelers wanting to come to Belize?”
Keith Gilges, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy of Belize
“There are a couple different questions there. One is, am I concerned about the low level of vaccination here. Absolutely, everybody should be concerned because vaccine save lives. Vaccines allow an economy to start back up again. SO yes, as soon as people can get and has access to the vaccine, if they are available now, I would hope people are taking advantage of that.”
Paul Lopez
“Do US citizens feel safe at this time travelling to Belize? We know that is a huge part of our tourism market.”
Keith Gilges
“Well, Belize is in a unique situation, because Belize should be rooting for America to vaccinate as many Americans as possible, because they are such a vital source to Belize to support the tourism industry here. So the question is should Americans feel safe in Belize? The CDC has lowered its ranking to number one, from number four high and dangerous, number three, number two, it’s now number one, have a nice trip. The State Department’s Travel Advisory Notification System, which is have a nice trip, exercise increased caution, rethink travel, don’t go. Now we can’t tell people they can’t do anything. We can only recommend it. Belize is at level three, exercise increase caution.”
As a matter of correction, the State Department Travel Advisory Notification System has Belize at level two, which is exercise increased caution.