Belize is in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and yet there’s an empty chair at the office of the Director of Health Services. News Five has confirmed that there is no DHS at the Ministry of Health and Wellness as of today. That is because Doctor Marvin Manzanero was placed on administrative leave effective […]
Void aside, the Association of Public Service Senior Managers says that the government is attacking the reputation of Doctor Marvin Manzanero, who for the greater part of 2020 was the Ministry of Health’s public face of the fight against the pandemic. Yet, according to a letter issued to the DHS on Tuesday, allegations of misconduct […]
The President of the A.P.S.S.M. says that according to the Public Service Regulations, there is a limited period of time for an allegation of misconduct to be brought against a public officer. The letter she saw refers to April 2020 which is ten months ago. Sharon Frazer says that due process has not been followed […]
But Doctor Marvin Manzanero is not the only person being affected by what is widely perceived to be a concerted effort to have him removed as DHS. Since December seventh Doctor Melissa Diaz-Musa had been tapped by the Public Service Ministry to become the Acting Director of Health Services. While that contract is to end […]
As promised, the donation of one thousand vaccines from Barbados arrived in Belize today via Amerijet just after seven this morning. The shipment was received by the former Acting DHS, Doctor Melissa Diaz-Musa. These vaccines are not a part of the one hundred thousand plus to be acquired via the COVAX facility, expected in late […]
Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness held a media sensitization session at the Radisson on COVID-19 vaccines. Among the issues discussed were the effectiveness of vaccines in a pandemic and resistance by healthcare workers to getting vaccinated. News Five’s Duane Moody reports. Duane Moody, Reporting As Belize anticipates the arrival of its first […]
In preparation for the vaccine roll out across the country in the coming weeks, a simulation exercise was conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness last week. Doctor Natalia Largaespada Beer breaks down that process and the gaps identified for setting up vaccination stations outside of a medical facility. Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, […]
It is one of the most popular natural attractions for both Belizeans and visitors, but tonight it appears that the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is in serious financial trouble. Responding to reports of possible financial impropriety, incoming Minister of Civil Aviation, whose portfolio includes the “the Blue Economy,” hired the firm of Moore Magana LLP […]
Police say he beat his common-law wife with a hammer in December. But tonight, his attorney has gotten him out on bail. Just days before Christmas, it is alleged that Joel Bardalez used a hammer to beat Sindey Tut, a mother of four children, in her face, breaking some facial bones. Now Bardalez, who is charged […]
The Statistical Institute of Belize has given its report on the state of the Belize economy. During a virtual presentation today, the S.I.B. shared that the economy contracted by thirteen point one percent during the last quarter of 2020. The S.I.B.’s report shows that gross domestic product was down significantly due to a decline of […]
Turning to the trade bulletin, the S.I.B. says that total imports in 2020 stood at one point six billion dollars, but it was still down by almost four hundred million dollars when compared to 2019. Exports for last year were also down by eleven percent or some forty-six million dollars, putting the total value of […]
And what’s up with the price of goods and services in Belize? If you thought that prices felt a little steeper for last January, the S.I.B. says that it’s because they were higher by one percent when compared to 2020. Melvin Perez of the S.I.B. breaks down the areas where consumers felt the increases and […]
Belizeans who had been hoping the price of gas might not keep rising will be disappointed tonight. The Ministry of Finance has announced the pump price of three fuel products will change on Thursday. Premium gasoline will jump by fifty-one cents from nine dollars and eighty-nine cents to ten dollars and forty cents per gallon. Kerosene […]
The Municipal Election is exactly one week away from today and as we have been showing you, the political teams are hitting the campaign trails. Today, the U.D.P. slate in Belize City held a virtual launch of its manifesto that they say will “bring back fi we city.” Here’s a snippet of some of the […]
A new Elections and Boundaries Commission was sworn in during a brief ceremony today at Belize House. Five members, including Chairman Oscar Sabido, were administered the oath of office. Along with a new presiding officer are Orlando Espat, Conrad Lewis, Phillipa Griffith Bailey and Alberto August. Senior Counsel Sabido takes up the reins from former […]
The Central Bank of Belize, the country’s chief financial institution, has appointed a new chairman, with almost no fanfare, just a quiet update to their website. Former Governor Sydney Campbell returns to Gaol Lane as presiding officer of the Central Bank Board of Directors. Campbell served as governor under the Musa administration between 2003 and […]
Two weeks ago we told you about the termination of Sugar Cane Production Committee Manager Naim Cal who was fired by Chairman Marcos Osorio. As we previously reported, Cal’s predecessor was also sacked at the end of December and a month after Cal was hired, he, too, was fired. We had reached out to Cal […]
After almost a year of inactivity, the Corozal Free Zone was reopened to business on February first. That’s because a raft of new measures was put in place to ensure that the potential spread of COVID-19 was kept at an extreme minimum. Even with all things in place, however, the customs-free shopping area is still […]
