BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Apr. 2, 2020– The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has been plunging the world into economic hardship as more countries implement lockdown measures in the effort to fight the virus that has swept across the countries of the world.

At midnight last night, Belize entered into a national state of emergency in its fight against the virus. Beginning at 8:00 p.m. tonight, the curfew that accompanies the national state of emergency kicks in until 5:00 tomorrow morning, and during that time Belizeans who venture outside must have a Ministry of National Security pass or have some compellingly good reason to be outside, or risk being charged for curfew violation.

The COVID-19 measures that the government has put in place to fight the virus have taken another bite out of economic activity, and will therefore cut into government’s revenue stream.

The most recent evidence of this is a press release from the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, which has responsibilities for government lotteries. The release, which was issued today, indicated that the ministry will be suspending the boledo draw and the Sunday lottery and jackpot until further notice.

“The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, as the Ministry responsible for Lotteries, informs the public that due to the state of emergency in place in response to COVID-19, all lotteries, including games of chance and Government Lotteries (Boledo, Jackpot and Ordinary), are suspended until further notice,” said the government release.

The release urged the public to follow the health and safety guidelines established by the COVID-19 Oversight Committee and the Ministry of Health.

“ALL official notices from the Ministry will be communicated via the Government of Belize Press Office,” the release said.

“The public will be informed on when all lotteries and other games of chance will resume normal operations,” the release ended saying.