BELMOPAN, Fri. June 18, 2021– A senior member of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) tested positive for COVID-19, and as a result most of the department’s branches countrywide have been closed for a week, while personnel from the Ministry of Health and Wellness carry out contact tracing.

A release from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and E-Governance states that the infected person came in contact with many members countrywide following the department’s annual strategic planning meeting; hence, the offices will be closed for a week to allow for quarantining and contact tracing, as well as sanitization of offices. All the department’s offices, with the exception of the Santa Elena, Dangriga and Punta Gorda branches, will thus be closed.

The Minister of Youth, Sports and E-governance, Hon. Kevin Bernard, has stated that a nationwide closure is essential in order to minimize the spread of the virus. The Department of Youth Services provides services for a large number of young persons countrywide. While there have not been reports of a mass spread of the virus, the department is being extra cautious in order to minimize COVID-19 transmission.

The Youth Ministry release encourages all to practice social distancing and all safety measures that have been recommended to reduce transmission.