KOLBE FOUNDATION, Hattieville, Belize District, Tues. Apr. 7, 2020– The Belize Central Prison in Hattieville, which has about 1,100 inmates in close proximity with each other, has a high chance of the inmates catching and spreading the dreaded COVID-19 disease, if it should come into the institution.

The prison, therefore, has taken a proactive approach to the problem. Virjilio Murillo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kolbe Foundation/ Belize Central Prison, said that the prison has implemented measures and a partial lockdown to combat the dreaded disease, and it is confident that the prison is COVID-19 free.

Murillo, in speaking to the media, said that many measures have been implemented in the prison, some of which are wide-spread sanitation, and frequent handwashing is emphasized.

They know the importance of the face mask, and he got a mask and 15 skilled inmates began producing the masks, and now, there are sufficient masks in the prison.

The CEO said that some of the masks have been sold to police and other institutions.

Among other measures taken to combat the COVID-19 are screening and constant sterilization of areas touched frequently by staff and inmates.

Vehicles coming into the compound, which can possibly bring in the virus, are sanitized. The tires, under the vehicle and the body are sprayed, he said.