BELIZE CITY, Wed. Apr. 15, 2020– At midnight on April 1, Belize slipped into a national State of Emergency as government escalated its fight against the novel coronavirus.

Since the declaration of the national State of Emergency was declared, government has had to make adjustments in response to the changing landscape as it battles the pandemic, which so far has claimed the lives of two Belizeans and infected a total of 18 persons in Belize, who are said to be in self-isolation.

Today, during the Ask the Experts webcast, Attorney General and Minister of National Security, Michael Peyrefitte, unveiled further measures that will be part of the national State of Emergency.

“There will be a curfew for children under the age of sixteen. So, if you are sixteen and under, you will be able to be on the streets or in the public, shop, wherever, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,” said Peyrefitte.

He further stated, “After 4:00 p.m., if you are sixteen and under, you cannot be on the streets or in the public even if you deh with yuh ma and pa. So, you can’t say ‘oh, dah 5 o’clock but I deh with mi ma and pa.’ No! 4 o’clock pickney nuh fid eh pahn the street whether you deh with yuh ma and pa. You are only allowed to be on the streets as a child below the age of sixteen between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.”

“So, parents, guardians, whatever it is you need your children to do or whatever it is you need to do that requires the presence of your children, make sure you do it between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., starting Friday,” Minister Peyrefitte admonished.

In addition, government also ordered that doctors who are employed in both the public and private hospitals have to make a choice between the two. They will not be allowed to work at a private facility and still continue to work in the public sector.

It is believed that this particular decision of the government will be met with some resistance from doctors.

Peyrefitte also announced new opening hours for banks: “Banks will be opened from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Public utilities will be opened from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., so you can pay your bills only,” he said.

The new measures are to come into effect on Friday, April 17.

Feature photo: Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General and Minister of National Security