BELIZE CITY, Mon. Aug. 23, 2021– Today, the Government of Belize by way of the Minister of Health and Wellness enacted new Covid-19 regulations aimed at containing the spread of infections amid this third wave now affecting the country.
The sixth amendment to the COVID-19 regulations, Statutory Instrument (SI) 92, came into effect today, August 23, 2021.
Through this most recent amendment, the Health Ministry has expanded the list of persons classified as frontline workers by adding 7 new occupations to this category of workers. Those now also classified as frontline workers include officers of the Judiciary, employees of BPOs, officers and staff of the Department of Civil Aviation, employees of security companies, employees of the Belize Post Office, and any person who works or is employed at any port.
It must be noted that these persons are now subject to mandatory bi-weekly COVID-19 testing if they cannot present proof of vaccination at their workplace.
The new regulations also impose restrictions on funeral services — prohibiting any indoor memorial services, directing persons to bury their dead at the cemetery only, and also restricting all wakes and repasts.
The new regulations also stipulate that no more than 50% of employees of BPO centers should be in the office at any given time, and all those persons who are physically present at the office must be able to present a vaccination card.
A restriction has been placed on restaurants within mainland Belize District. Those restaurants which are still in operation have been directed to only seat 50% of their establishment’s capacity in an outdoor dining setting only. In Caye Caulker and San Pedro restaurants are allowed to operate at 75% capacity.
Establishments without restaurant licenses will only be allowed to sell alcohol within the non-curfew hours, from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.