BELMOPAN, Fri. Aug. 6, 2021– Statutory Instrument (SI) 74 of 2021, which was gazetted on July 2, 2021 by the Minister responsible for public health, Hon. Michel Chebat, requires all “frontline workers” to be vaccinated or present a negative PCR or rapid test on reporting to work. The Government of Belize has also outlined the categories of employment that, for the purposes of the SI, have been classified as frontline work. And now, particularly in light of a recent outbreak among the staff members of a local bus line, the Department of Transport has issued a release to remind all public transport operators, including bus drivers and conductors, that they are categorized as frontline workers under the SI.

The release notes that if frontline workers who were not vaccinated by August 1, 2021 fail to present a negative rapid antigen or PCR test to their employer bi-monthly, those persons will be marked absent from work, and could be subject to disciplinary proceedings that may include a suspension of permit.

The Department of Transport has said that it will be enhancing surveillance at bus terminals and checkpoints nationwide to ensure compliance with the public health regulations. All public transport operators must have a valid vaccination card or negative test result on-person at all times.

The release from the Government of Belize Press Office states, “The Department of Transport thanks public transport operators who have already been immunized and encourages those who have not yet done so to get vaccinated at the earliest opportunity.”