Curfew Instituted for Belize District

According to the National Meteorological Service, Hurricane Lisa made landfall at three-twenty p.m. on Wednesday, ten miles south of Belize City. Fortunately, no lives were lost as a result of the storm. The greatest impacts were residential properties, while localized flooding occurred along the coast of Belize City and Ladyville. It is estimated that two hundred households have been affected which translates to over a thousand persons having been displaced – this is for Belize City alone.  Prime Minister John Briceño called a press conference late this evening following an emergency cabinet meeting. There, he informed the nation of updates related to relief and clean up efforts. P.M. Briceño also announced a curfew for the Belize District.

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Rest assured government is responding to recovery efforts. Already teams of workers are in the affected areas assessing and addressing the urgent humanitarian assistance including getting waters and food to those in need. Six private contractors have already offered their equipment free of cost to help with the cleanup campaign in the Belize District. The Belize Defense Force along with workers and equipment from the other municipal bodies will be joining with the Belize City Council to assist with the cleanup campaign in Belize City and some of the other affected rural communities the minister of rural communities have already informed Cabinet that water is back in most of the country and electricity services will be fully restored countrywide by Sunday. They believe that the city by the end of today, fifty percent of the city will be fully restored in the city. Transportation services are coming back online and will be fully restored by tomorrow. To ensure safety of life and property we are instituting a seven p.m. to six a.m. curfew in Belize District except for ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. This curfew will last until Sunday. All schools will return to regular classes on Monday seventh November. Government employees are to report to work tomorrow and all government services should be fully operational by Monday seventh November. Our foreign assistance committee is fully activated and already the international community is responding. Prior to the storm I said we would get through this together. I want to thank our front line workers and first responders for their amazing work.”