BELIZE CITY, Sun. May 10, 2020– Although there are presently no known COVID-19 cases in the country, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services, continues to call on Belizeans to remain vigilant and not to take things for granted.
He reminds all persons in the country to continue carrying out the necessary measures to combat the spread of the virus by carrying out social distancing, washing the hands regularly, and wearing face masks when out in public.
Belize’s borders with Mexico and Guatemala are currently closed, and health authorities call on those residing in Belize to not go illegally into these countries because there is a high possibility that they can unknowingly bring back the virus, and there can be another outbreak, with further devastating consequences to the country.
Today, Linea De Fuego, an online Mexican newspaper of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, reported that there are 33,401 positive cases of COVID-19 in Mexico, and 3,353 persons have died due to COVID-19 complications.
Linea De Fuego also reported that 20,887 cases are being investigated and a total of 73,801 persons have been tested.
The Attorney General of Belize, Michael Peyrefitte, has said repeatedly that anyone caught crossing into Belize illegally from any country will be given a 3-month jail sentence, and the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, said that anyone crossing into Belize illegally, in addition to receiving a jail sentence, will be ordered into a 21-day quarantine, which they will pay for out of their pockets at $105 per day.
If they test negative for COVID-19 after 14 days, they will then be taken to jail, where they will remain for three months.
Feature photo: Dr. Marvin Manzanero