BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 2, 2021– Yesterday, during an interview with the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Kareem Musa, he said that he would have to review the laws to determine if there is a consequence for failing to gazette an exemption to the Covid-19 regulations — an issue that came to the fore after a recent controversial exemption was granted by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, so that an upscale wedding could be held.

It has been estimated that over 100 persons attended that wedding, which was held at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. According to Minister Chebat, however, all those invited to the event were vaccinated.

In a letter leaked from the desk of the Health Minister, he pointed out that section 8 of SI 74 empowers him to allow exemptions on the restriction of social gatherings. Subsection three of that provision, however, requires that the exemption be published in the Gazette.

There is no indication that the recent exemption was posted, putting the Health Minister in direct contravention of the law.

Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Kareem Musa, in reference to that apparent violation of the law by Hon. Chebat, said, “I would have to check the SI to see if there is a consequence for that, but I am sure that moving forward, he will gazette them.”