BELMOPAN, Sun. Feb. 28, 2021– An update to the Public Health Regulations Statutory Instrument came into effect on Sunday, February 28, 2021. Under the new SI, the curfew which was implemented on February 1 will remain in place for an additional 30 days. In addition to this, on March 3, the day of the municipal elections across the country and the by-elections in Corozal Bay, the curfew will start at 8:00 p.m. and run until 5:00 a.m.

The SI instituted a restriction on the sale of alcohol on election day as well. In addition to this, regulation 22B outlines that no person will be permitted to “loiter in any public place, congregate in partisan groups of more than ten persons, or solicit votes from electors at or near a polling station.”

An amendment was also made to the regulations relating to the arrivals at the airports. Persons are now mandated to have done a PCR or rapid test 96 hours or four days before entering the country.

Also added to the regulation is subsection 25(A). Some persons will be exempted from testing. The release states, “Every person who enters Belize through the airport and provides proof of immunization shall not be required to submit to testing under regulations.” Thus, persons who have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine will now be allowed to enter the country without having to undergo any COVID-19 testing.

Travelers who fail to comply with the Ministry’s regulations must return home as early as possible or be placed in a mandatory quarantine facility for a period directed by the Quarantine Authority.