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The sale of Scotiabank Belize to Caribbean International Holdings Limited, the parent company of Belize Bank, is still being finalized by the Central Bank. The Central Bank is pouring over details of the proposed transaction to ensure that proper due diligence was done by both parties. On Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave a brief […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
Economy |
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Belize has gotten a much needed break as far as the payment of the super bond even though the country’s credit rating was downgraded by Standards and Poor to a rating of selective default. On Friday, PM Barrow congratulated those who were instrumental in deferring the payment of the super bond amid the economic downturn […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
Economy |
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At the start of the week, the states of emergency for COVID-stricken communities, including Guinea Grass, Shipyard and Santa Marta in the north and San Pedro in central Belize have been extended for an additional two weeks. Along with the extension is a nationwide curfew that came into effect on Sunday night which requires everyone […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on A New Curfew is in Effect for All of Belize
Classes resumed at the University of Belize this morning, but from all indications, it appears there was a poor turnout. When we visited the main campus in Belmopan, it didn’t look like the opening of the academic school year, but more like a ghost town. Over a hundred faculty members of the U.B. Faculty and […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
Education |
Comments Off on UB’s Unionized Faculty Members; “No Formal Teaching of Courses” for Opening of School!
From saying no to the formal teaching for the opening of the new school year to a seat at the table, the U.B.F.S.U. says that they are heading into negotiations with two major items on the table. Starting on Tuesday, the union and the Board of Trustees will begin talks for a Collective Bargaining Agreement; […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
Education |
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The National Trade Union Congress of Belize, N.T.U.C.B., has written to Prime Minister Dean Barrow objecting to the amendment to the Labour Act that was passed in the House of Representatives on Friday. The umbrella organization says that it was never consulted in respect of these changes, notwithstanding the fact that it is very much […]
Written on August 17, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on N.T.U.C.B. Objects to Amendment of Labour Laws
We can confirm tonight that a third person has died because of COVID-19 in Belize. The Office of the Director of Health Services confirmed this information just before news time, saying that the person passed away earlier at the Intensive Care Unit of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and the diagnosis had just been confirmed […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Featured,
Health |
Comments Off on Third Person Dies of COVID-19 in Belize
Turning to the latest number in the coronavirus pandemic….Ten new COVID-19 infections were confirmed late this evening from a batch of seventy-eight samples. The new cases drive the number of infections to an all time high of three hundred and sixty-six cases, of which three hundred and thirty two are active. This places Belize among […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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Health |
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And while those are ten new cases this afternoon, on Thursday night sixty more positive tests were confirmed. A majority of the cases are recorded in the Orange Walk, Corozal and Belize District – with the cases concentrated in Belize City. Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that in this batch there are links to previous case. […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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Health |
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And while the cases have been concentrated largely in the north and the city, including San Pedro, these latest stats show that the virus is spreading across the country – with numbers trickling in for small communities. Tonight, the south remains with the least number of cases – with Toledo recording only one case and […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Featured,
Health |
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Among the positive COVID-19 cases are sixteen healthcare workers. The number, according to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, is a growing cause for concern. The results over the past twenty-four hours include two more K.H.M.H. personnel, one nurse and another member of staff. Here’s more from DHS Manzanero on the healthcare workers who have tested positive for […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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Health |
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An investigation has been launched by Chief Executive Officer Doctor George Gough, of the Ministry of Health, into the departure of a tugboat from Belizean waters in Big Creek to La Ceiba, Honduras. Reports are that a crew of five were onboard the vessel when it left for Honduras for repair, notwithstanding an existing ban […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Featured,
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Tug Boat Leaves and Re-enters Belize Illegally, Crew Members Test Positive for COVID-19
Tonight several COVID-19 patients are hospitalized across the country. Three persons are in the I.C.U. at the K.H.M.H.; three of whom are intubated, but only one has a positive COVID-19 result, while the two others who are highly suspected COVID cases are awaiting their results. The number includes a mom who recently delivered a baby. […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Featured,
Health |
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Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte is scheduled to appear on a weekend episode of Ask the Experts on Saturday night where he is expected to provide details of a countrywide curfew that will come into effect in the days ahead. That restriction on the movement of residents will see the hours reverting to eight o’clock at […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Curfew to be Set for 8 o’clock Once Again
But we know that restaurants and other eateries will be allowed to remain open providing that patrons make reservations ahead of their visit, as well as sticking to ten persons only. Where sports is concerned, recommendations are being made to cancel all competitions, including basketball. The use of face masks for persons riding bicycles casually […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Restaurants to Remain Open, but Only for Party of Ten
The steady increase in the number of cases of COVID-19 across the country, particularly in the north, as well as Belize District, has seen a climb to three hundred and sixty-six infections at present. Despite a sharp rise in new cases, PM Barrow says that there is no immediate plan to effect another district-wide state […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on No Locking Down of Orange Walk District
There is no lockdown for all of the north, however, specific communities, including Guinea Grass, Shipyard and Santa Marta will see an extension to the confinement for safety that they are already experiencing. As a result, travel within Orange Walk District will be restricted going forward and movement within district lines is pending review. […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Social Issues |
Comments Off on Movement Within Orange Walk to be Restricted
Tourism Minister and area representative for Belize Rural South, Manuel Heredia Junior is coming under fire tonight. Videos and pictures of him and his family show them on their veranda in San Pedro, the epicentre of the virus, literally handing down “assistance” to residents using a string. The video and pictures have sparked outrage as […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on The Blatant Disregard for Physical Distancing, Social Gathering Limit in San Pedro
The police has been active along border communities, attempting to put a lid on the movement of contraband goods. On Thursday, a dozen canoes were confiscated by Orange Walk Police when officers descended on the village of Santa Cruz, a community along the border with Mexico. It is a popular illegal point of entry where […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Santa Cruz Village Chairlady Says that Police Unfairly Confiscated Canoes
According to the chairlady, the residents of Santa Cruz have been abandoned by the government. She says that some families are only eating one meal per day. On the Phone: Kimberly Medina, Chairlady, Santa Cruz Village “We do not have no government help here. Last time our area representatives Gaspar Vega who resigned came […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
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People & Places |
Comments Off on Chairlady Says Santa Cruz Has Been Abandoned by Government
In the House of Representatives today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow reiterated his condemnation for border jumpers. He says that the constant reports of border jumpers and contrabandistas prompted authorities to confiscate the canoes which he says were ready to cross the border. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “The constant report of residents of border villages […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on PM Barrow Comes Down Hard on Border Jumpers
The Crime Control and Criminal Justice Amendment Bill was tabled and read in its entirety during the sitting of the House of Representatives this morning as a measure to arrest contraband. The new piece of legislation seeks to expand the offenses for which a magistrate cannot grant bail in the lower courts, including offenses in […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Opposition Raises Concern Over New Crime Control Amendment
While harsh laws have been brought into force to thwart border jumping, the opposition is calling for a distinction between persons who are purchasing contraband items and persons who are purposely going across into Mexico and Guatemala to bring across uncustommed goods into Belize. There has been a significant number of cases in Orange Walk […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Should There be a Distinction for Border Jumpers?
More than eighty repatriates returned home on the weekly repatriation flight on United Airlines. Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that there appears to be an increase in the number of persons being repatriated since the airport will not re-open on Saturday August fifteenth. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services “Repatriation – the plane did […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Increasing Numbers Being Repatriated!
At the top of the newscast, we told you about the latest COVID-19 related death recorded earlier this afternoon. This latest death marks Belize’s third COVID-19 death. During today’s Ask the Experts, viewers asked Doctor Marvin Manzanero about the low death toll. Here’s what he had to say. Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health […]
Written on August 14, 2020 | Posted in
Health |
Comments Off on What is Accounting for Low Death Rate in Belize?
