The Ask the Experts session by the Ministry of Health is a good source for COVID-19 updates. One of the issues that came up a couple times was the compensation available for frontline workers, such as nurses. The Nurses Association has sent out a release with at least six concerns of the profession. They say […]
Doctor Marvin Manzanero also raised concerns about health workers facing discrimination, as well as being aggressed by members of the public. He says that there are reported cases in the west and north where health workers are having problems accessing stores and public transportation. He calls on the public to refrain from these acts and […]
And while many of us may be tired and frustrated by all the new measures put in place, they are necessary. Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that we may have to hold out a little longer because the situation outside of our borders is worsening for some countries. He points out that predictive models in the […]
As more stringent measures are put in place to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, life as we know it is different. With the closure of schools, lay-offs and work from home measures instituted by employers, thousands of residents must stay at home. Our public routines have been upended by social distancing and you may have […]
Protocols have been installed at children’s homes across the country as the Ministry of Human Development prepares home managements for COVID-19. On average, COVID-19 is milder on children than it is on the older population. Still to cut exposure, visits to the homes are no longer being permitted and a lockdown has also been put […]
Belize is currently in phase yellow and the virus is contained on San Pedro, where the first confirmed case infected her mother. Since then, there has been a nationwide quarantine and a state of emergency has been placed on Ambergris Caye, prohibiting travel to and from the island. But in the event that the virus […]
There is no national shutdown, but government today instituted strict safety measures country to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus. The COVID-19 crisis has paralyzed chunks of Belize’s economy and threatens widespread devastation. Countries like Spain, Italy, Iran, and even the great United States have been experiencing a losing battle against the novel […]
The new normal includes safety measures such as the closure of many business establishments such as casinos, beauty salons, gyms, bars, and restaurants. Groceries stores will remain open, but owners and managers are asked to adhere to the social distancing rules. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General “Every business shall ensure that all customers and staff […]
The first COVID-19 case was imported; it involves a thirty-eight-year-old woman who entered the country after leaving Los Angeles last week Thursday. The Belizean woman was expected to self isolate but after landing on the island, she made some errands and visited her mother who was confirmed to be the second case of COVID-19. The […]
The tourism sector has suffered a trashing from the halting of cruise visits, the closure of businesses and the locking off of all ports of entry to Belize. Since last week, the Belize Tourism Board shaved off about one-third of its employ, with set package agreements for them to be able to brace for the bleak weeks and months ahead, courtesy […]
Government is moving to limit spending and contain expenditures in the public service by imposing a freeze on a number of measures due to the expected economic upheaval relating to COVID-19. A memorandum was issued today by the Financial Secretary directing the relevant authorities to take heed. Now, figures in the PM’s budget speech to […]
Public Service Union of Belize is calling on government to close all non-essential government offices across the country. Some ministries and departments have decided to close doors due to while others remain open. The P.S.U. is saying “amid this growing health and economic crisis, coupled with a depleted and unsafe transport system, the Union calls […]
In San Pedro and Belize City, residents have generally been staying home and activities on the streets have slowed down as a result of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Today, we checked in at the situation in the west. Local officials in San Ignacio/Santa Elena have met to discuss their contingency […]
We also spoke with Mayor Earl Trapp and Western Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Linden Flowers. They both outlined areas that they are working to enforce and manage to keep things flowing smoothly in the towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio. Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena “For now what we are trying to […]
Financial institutions stand ready to work with their respective customers during this time of economic catastrophe. The Central Bank of Belize, led by Governor Joy Grant, has been instrumental not only in securing funds for relief but also for working with commercial banks to lower their interest rates during this period. According to Grant, most […]
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide, hand sanitizers and alcohol are virtually non-existent in stores and supermarkets. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is one of the best ways to fight COVID-19 but if soap is not available, hand sanitizers are the second choice. To satisfy the local demand for hand sanitizers, Minister […]
Tonight there is a second case of the highly contagious corona virus. The second case is the mother of the thirty-eight year old resident of the San Pedrito area of San Pedro. The announcement was made today that within three days of the first case, there is now another person carrying the virus. The first […]
San Pedro remains under lockdown tonight as San Pedranos observe a state of emergency imposed since Monday following the announcement of the first case of the virus. Generally, the streets have been empty as residents stay at home and tourism activities have come to a grinding halt. Those who travel to the island to work […]
Prior to this afternoon’s press conference, there had been persistent hearsay on social media that the prime minister would be bringing into effect a countrywide lockdown in attempting to mitigate the possible spread of coronavirus in Belize. At the start of that media briefing, PM Barrow made it clear to the nation that there will […]
According to PM Barrow, should a countrywide state of emergency become imminent, citizens must not panic. In the case of such eventuality, the prime minister says that the national taskforce, the second arm of government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, is already putting together a plan of action that will be implemented to ensure that […]
As the nation braces for a crisis provoked by the COVID 19, several measures were announced today at a press conference by the national Oversight Committee, to ease the pain on Belizeans and quell uncertainty caused by the threat of the spread of the virus. Financial expert Doctor Carla Barnett, one of two economic czars […]
Belize’s economic performance in light of the existing crisis is very poor and it will take months for the country to rebound from the doldrums of COVID-19. Gross domestic product, or GDP, will undoubtedly plummet as a result of the massive economic shock. Exacerbating an already dismal situation is the fact that many in the […]
Lord Michael Ashcroft, who has been in Belize for two weeks, made a significant announcement today as the country braces for the spread of COVID-19. Lord Ashcroft is making a very generous donation for the benefit of Belizeans. He is contributing ten million dollars to be used towards the combat of the virus. From what […]
During his presentation today, PM Barrow also spoke about the contributions made by the utility companies. On Tuesday, B.E.L. said its hands are tied when it comes to cancellation of bills or reduced rates for everyone in Belize. The company committed to reviewing case by case for those directly affected by the threat of COVID-19. […]
The Leader of the Opposition who is the co-chair of the Oversight Committee joined the Prime Minister at a press conference this afternoon. There have been numerous reports of property-owners evicting tenants during this worrying time. Many have lost their jobs as the economy continues to reel from the COVID-19 catastrophe. Opposition Leader John Briceño […]
