BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Nov. 11, 2021 — Yesterday, while in San Pedro at the Belize Investment Summit, Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, announced that the COVID-19 regulations will be relaxed slightly on November 22, following the Garifuna Settlement Day weekend.
The nightly curfew period from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. will remain in place from Sundays to Thursdays, but the duration of the curfew from Friday to Sunday will be reduced —with the nightly curfew starting at 11:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. on those days. Along with the reduced curfew time, the Ministry has decided to discontinue the requirement that proof of vaccination be presented by persons entering a restaurant.
During an interview, Chebat told local media that after consultation with stakeholders they concluded that the vaccination mandate in restaurants has caused more difficulty for those business owners. He added that it has been difficult to enforce those measures.
“After further discussion with the stakeholders, we find it is causing a lot of difficulty with them. We find that there is a problem with enforcement at the moment. So, for now, we are backing down from that position. So, for now, anybody can now enter into a restaurant,” Minister Chebat said.
He noted, however, that indoor dining would still be limited to 50% of the establishment’s capacity and the number of patrons served at outdoor restaurants should still not be more than 75% of the restaurant’s capacity.
When pressed on the untimely nature of the relaxation of the measures in place, given the recent increase in deaths related to the COVID-19 virus, Chebat replied that the decision made by Cabinet is an effort to strike a balance between public health and the economy, in order to push the nation forward on its road to recovery.
With the high season for the tourism industry approaching and a projection that a spike in tourist activity could offset financial losses suffered earlier this year, the government is doing its part to facilitate this bounce-back, and to maximize the potential revenue they could gain within the winter months.
“It should [enable] us to have a better high season starting Thanksgiving weekend for the United States, which is the last Thursday of November,” stated Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Anthony Mahler, who, while acknowledging that the “balancing act” is a difficult one, highlighted the everyday struggles of the families in his constituency and the dire need to reopen the economy in a safe way. He said vaccination is key.
In regard to those vaccinations, an important announcement was also made by Minister Chebat yesterday. Booster shots (a third, or in the case of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccines) are being rolled out for all persons over the age of 18 in Belize. This announcement comes just weeks after the Ministry rolled out booster shots for those 60 and over and people living with comorbidities.
“So we are no longer just doing it for persons who have comorbidities, who are 60 years and above and for healthcare workers. It is now open to everyone who is 18 years and above to get a booster,” Minister Chebat said.
Just this week, Pfizer sought authorization from the FDA to approve its booster shots for all adults in the United States. This approval has still not been given. For now, some medical professionals are saying that the additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccination may redefine what it means to be “fully vaccinated”.