BELIZE CITY, Fri. Dec. 18, 2020– As a result of the newly issued SI 175 of 2020, the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk have essentially been placed on lockdown. A restriction on cross-district and outer-district movement has been imposed on these two districts.  The measures were taken to contain the rapid spread of the coronavirus in an area once considered the COVID-19 epicenter of Belize.

Border-jumping and non-adherence to the COVID-19 protocols by a considerable number of Corozal and Orange Walk residents have caused those two districts to amass the most confirmed cases in the country. To date, 3,723 of the total confirmed cases were found in those two northern districts.

The new SI limits the movement of residents living in the villages and towns in the north by making it illegal for them to travel beyond their specific communities. It also bans these districts’ residents from traveling outside the borders of the Corozal or Orange Walk Districts.

There are some exceptions, of course. Persons going to work or conducting business are allowed to move outside and within the districts. Those doing food distribution or persons having medical emergencies will also be permitted to pass their district’s borders.

If cross or out-district travel is necessary to purchase essential supplies, i.e., food, medication, or water, then that will be allowed.

When the issuance of SI 175 was officially announced, it was noted that, “Tourism will continue; the SI states that foreign tourists will continue to be allowed to go on tours with the districts.”

These restrictions are in place until a new set of regulations is enacted.