BELIZE CITY, Sun. Apr. 19, 2020– This Sunday, and on the Sunday prior to that, the entire country, including Belize City, was under almost total lockdown, as dictated by Statutory Instrument #54 of 2020, which gives authority for about 90 percent of Belize to be put on lockdown.
Under SI 54, all non-essential businesses — along with grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies—are prohibited from being open. Operations that are allowed to continue on Sunday include the loading and unloading of ships at local ports, the operation of food mills, oil production, agro- processing (which includes citrus, sugar and food factories), security companies and public utilities.
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte reminds the public that people should not be on the street on Sundays; they are to remain inside their homes. People are only allowed to leave their house to go to the hospital to seek medical attention.
The penalty for violating the curfew is a fine of $5,000 or jail time of 2 years if found guilty.
Peyrefitte reminds the public that the curfew and the measures being taken are in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, and he requests the full participation of everyone.
Feature photo: Businesses close on Albert Street, Belize City