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Rebounding the Economy – a Matter of Priority

The tourism industry is at a standstill and Belize is one of three countries in the region to become the biggest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.   Today, further measures were announced to spur internal tourism going forward. But the Phillip Goldson International Airport is NOT to reopen before July first for international visitors. Tourism is […]

Balancing Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge negative impact on health and the economy.  Lord Ashcroft admits it is not an easy choice when balancing the two sectors, but he asserts that it is one that politicians are entrusted to make.   Lord Michael Ashcroft “Life is not about the best of choices, life is […]

Time is Running Out for Proposed Port of Belize Expansion

A mega project in the tourism industry has been on the drawing board for years. Waterloo Investment Holdings is proposing to invest two hundred million dollars to expand the Port of Belize so that much bigger cargo ships can come in through a deeper channel. But the investment has been languishing for some time going […]

Will General Elections Soon Be Called?

National elections are scheduled for this year, but the date is anyone’s guess. COVID-19 has put a wrench in most things; the U.D.P. is yet to elect a new leader and the war chest of the political parties may not be overflowing for a general elections.  With the pandemic ravishing the country, is there an […]

Multimillion-Dollar Question: When Will the P.G.I.A. Recommence Operations?

International travel has come to a halt with the closing of the international airport and borders in almost every country. Here in Belize, ports of entries remain close, only cargo is allowed and only citizens from other countries are allowed to travel out of Belize. This week, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines announced that international flights to the region […]

Belizean Students Can Come Home

Dozens of Belizean students remained stuck in different parts of the world when the state of emergency was imposed.  They have been unable to return because of the closure of borders and the new laws prohibit everyone, including Belizeans, from entering the country. Since there is containment of COVID-19 in Belize, students and other Belizeans, […]

Illegal Mexican Fishermen Detained in Belize!

Three Mexican fishermen have been arrested for illegal fishing in Belize. The Belize Coast Guard’s Maritime Law Enforcement Team busted the Mexican trio in the Bacalar Chico area around three-thirty this morning.  The Coast Guard’s report says that the vessel tried to evade the patrol team and in the process, they dumped their products and […]

Guillermo Foreman to be Charged with Illegal Entry into Belize

Where is Guillermo Foreman tonight? The Belmopan resident, who was stuck at the Santa Elena border in the north for days and not allowed entry into Belize, remains in police custody, pending charges. Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow referred to Belizean border jumpers during his virtual press conference, saying that after quarantine, these persons who […]

Butane Cost Increases with New Price Structure

Late on Wednesday night, the long awaited prices for LPG were released. If you have been following the LPG war, the prices is a thorny issue for the ex-importers of liquefied petroleum gas.  The National Gas Company, is now the sole supplier but the five former importers believe they can import LPG at prices lower […]

10 People Only Per Church Service!

Back to the ease of restrictions….When it comes to churches and other religious and faith-based groups, there is a small bit of good news tonight – a ten-person per service good news. That’s what the Attorney General announced today on the ‘Ask the Experts’ webcast.  Church service can now resume, but the maximum number of […]

Casinos, Bars, Rum Shops Will Not Open!

Shifting to some of the restrictions that have been relaxed for restaurants… Those open air restaurants will be allowed to accommodate diners. But those persons will be limited to ten per table and must be on reservation basis only. All other restaurants must continue to operate with take-out and delivery service. And if you are […]

Swimming is Now Allowed!

You can also now beat the heat in the pool or river or the sea. AG Peyrefitte says you are now allowed to go swimming but with some limitations to socializing on the poolside or the seaside. And for those divers and snorkelers, you are also allowed to engage in some recreation, but you cannot […]

You Can Now Exercise without a Mask!

And there is a little relief for those who exercise. You are now allowed to run, jog, walk, or cycle without a mask. But again, you are to do these activities during the hours of five to eight in the mornings only.   Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General “The exercise hours will remain from five a.m. […]

Blaine, the Ambulance Driver, in His Own Words

On Sunday afternoon near the outskirts of Hattieville, twenty-nine-year-old Blaine Caliz came face to face with a team of officers who trained their weapons on him as he exited what they believed was a runaway ambulance.  Police intelligence had informed them that the driver of a Southern Emergency Services vehicle was being held at gunpoint […]

Blaine Caliz – “Sorry for What?”

Earlier this week, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams demanded an apology from Caliz for his behaviour during the incident and said that if an apology was not forthcoming, charges would be brought against the emergency medical technician.  Caliz says that he does not know what he would be apologizing for since he was only carrying […]

Five-month-old Didn’t Die from Vaccine

On Tuesday, we reported the death of a five-month-old baby from Bella Vista Village. The report reaching our newsroom was that the child was administered a vaccine at the Independence Polyclinic. But the baby girl, Kynslee Jasmin Caal, died four to five days later after she got ill, showing signs of respiratory problem and a […]

Healthy Living Looks at Exercise Routines during Quarantine

It’s been over four weeks since the last confirmed case of COVID-19 in Belize. Now that the first wave has been contained it has led to some easing of movement restrictions and opening of more businesses.  But, if you’re a fitness buff, we’re sorry to report that there’s still no gym access.  So tonight in […]

Guatemalan Truck Drivers Speak to News Five on Protest

Tonight, the situation at the western border involving cargo trucks has been resolved and traffic is now flowing freely.  For two days and a half, the truck drivers from Guatemala could not enter Belize to purchase grains and other goods nor could trucks cross to bring in goods.  Long lines formed at the border blocking […]

Immigration Minister says New Protocols Are for Public Safety

This afternoon, Immigration Minister Beverly Castillo informed News Five that cargo is moving.  After a meeting today, a set of protocols was established to allow Guatemalan truck drivers to enter the country and purchase grains, such as corn, from Belizean producers. The truckers that bring goods, such as cement, into Belize are also allowed to […]

Melchor Mayor Comments on Protest by Guatemalan Truck Drivers

Belizean representatives in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which included Said Badi Guerra, met with his Guatemala counterpart, Edgar Aguilar and the mayor of Melchor de Mencos, Amado Yanez to discuss the standoff at the Western Border. As we reported, the meeting was fruitful as the impasse between Guatemalan truck drivers and Belizean authorities was […]

Guillermo Foreman is Taken into Police Custody; Will He Be Charged?

At the northern border, a Belizean, who had been stranded there since last Friday, remains in a conundrum tonight.  Under the State of Emergency, Belizeans are being denied entry except those in special circumstances. Guillermo Foreman says he travelled from the U.S. and on reaching the northern border he was denied entry and was sleeping […]

Cooler Heads Prevail Between P.S.U. and G.O.B.

Another dispute that was bubbling is also been ironed out.  The Public Service Union, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers met with Prime Minister Barrow this morning to discuss the issue of increments and allowances for this fiscal year.  The P.S.U. and the Ministry of Finance have remained […]

Education Minister Says G.O.B.’s Request in not Unreasonable

Education Minister Patrick Faber has also weighed in on the matter in respect of teachers and their allowances, as they, too, are being affected by the fiscal crunch. Faber says that government’s request to waive increments and allowances for public officers and teachers is neither irrational nor unfair, given the existing circumstance. Faber also commented […]

New Selling Price of LPG, Zeta Gas Wants New License to Import

An LPG dispute has been taking place for some time. Tonight, there is an answer to one of the thorny issues involving prices. Before a release from the Belize Bureau of Standards, Southern Choice Butane Limited held a press conference to reaffirm that it had ran out of its supply of LPG. It is also […]

Zeta Gas on Impact to Employees, Customers

Southern Choice Butane Limited is one of six former LPG importers whose license has expired. That company supplies thirty-percent of the industry in Belize. Today, Zeta Gas Rep Ernesto Wu also spoke about the impact that the situation has on its staff across the country and the clients to whom it provides LPG.   Ernesto […]