BELIZE CITY, Tues. Mar. 17, 2020– The global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) has placed many cities and counties around the world under lockdown, as preventative measures are enforced to stem the spread of the disease.

Yesterday, Monday, the United States extended its travel ban to some 26 European countries, including the United Kingdom, which was exempt last week when the travel ban was first introduced, in response to the growing number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in the continental US.

Yesterday, the Embassy of the United States to Belize issued a bulletin, advising that the Consular Section of the Embassy has suspended its routine Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Services.

The Embassy announced that it is still providing all American Citizen Services, which includes the issuance of emergency passports.

All travelers should be prepared for additional travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice, the Embassy noted.

The Embassy announced the suspension of visa services as one of its measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was no mention of how long the Embassy’s visa services will be suspended.

Travelers are urged to visit the US Embassy web page for updates.