Area Rep Tells Islands to Remain Vigilant Despite Exemptions
Andre Perez
As we have reported, San Pedro and Caye Caulker are among the communities enjoying certain exemptions from the recent COVID-19 regulations. On Monday, we spoke with Area Representative Andre Perez, for Belize Rural South, who told us that San Pedro is not out of the woods. In fact, there are seventy-five active cases on the island. But, with both islands reportedly contributing some twenty-five percent to the GDP, it is important that the industry on these islands remain alive. Here is what he told us.
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“I already had an emergency meeting in Caye Caulker and San Pedro where all stakeholders are involved. I brought them over and said, listen we need to move forward, and for us to move forward, don’t expect the government to say, we need to be enforcing and doing our part. Each and every one of us are called to the responsibility to heed, to be aware, especially in San Pedro where we have active cases of seventy-five cases, that is a lot. So, in this meeting, the whole idea is that it is everybody’s business, all those establishments, those restaurants; they have to do their part. Also, I let them know clearly, my constituency, is that we are not off the hook yet. It is not a time to be celebrating, “oh only San Pedro and Caye Caulker, Hopkins and Placencia got spared and we are ok and we can be on our merry selves and party and everything,” no. The next two weeks are going to be crucial. It is very difficult. Let me tell you something, it is not an easy decision to be making. We have been accused of acting too fragmented or making decisions every week and making change. But, you have to understand this thing is very fluid. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health as it relates to tourism, especially with Caye Caulker and San Pedro. I can tell you, in terms of contributions to the GDP, San Pedro, and Caye Caulker may be as much as contributing twenty-five percent to this economy.”
