Police Tell Altun Ha Vendors to Get Vaccinated
This morning, vendors at Altun Ha told us that the police were there issuing warning to everyone who has booths at the site that come Monday, anyone who is not vaccinated will not be allowed to conduct business on the site.
Voice of: Vendor, Altun Ha Archaeological site
“There’s an elderly woman who works here who said I will not take a vaccine because I don’t want to take the vaccine and he told her ‘well you can’t work here; you can’t come back tomorrow if you don’t take your vaccine.’ And she was like ‘No, I’m not going to do that I’m going to come because this is how I make my money. And then the same thing he told the elderly woman he came and told my mom. So, he went up more and I think two other people there already have their vaccination cards. They showed him. So it’s just a small group of people here; it’s not that we are against the vaccine but they choose not to take it because of their health issues noh.”
Voice of: Andrew Chacon, Altun Ha tour guide
“The police was doing a spot check booth-to-booth and I believe with some of the tour guides as well. No one was escorted off the compound; he was just informing them that if they cannot present their negative PCR test or their vaccination card that they’ll no longer be allowed to operate or do business. Today so far we have four busloads of tourists that visit Altun Ha. One of them is a bus that is fully vaccinated and the other three buses, they are not vaccinated. And that was what the vendors were saying: if the visitors can come here, they can use the rest-rooms, they can use the facility and enter inside the site. We cannot have interaction with them but they’re using the same restrooms and everything, then why the problem occurred now with the vendors? You’re pressuring them to do it but then the visitors – it’s not a problem.”
Tourism C.E.O. Nicole Solano told News Five that several of those vendors have already agreed to get vaccinated and a few others wanted more information before deciding whether they will take the vaccine or not. She says the situation with the elderly and their underlying health issues is a concern, but that they are guided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness on the recommendations. Solano added that currently, all unvaccinated Belizeans and tourists entering Belize must test negative prior to their arrival into the country. Vaccinated travelers (local and foreign) may enter without a test, but are subject to random testing on arrival in Belize.
