The Office of the Prime Minister has officially announced a date for election day in Belize. The 2020 Election Day will be held on November 11, 2020. Their press release also notes that Wednesday, October 21, 2020 will be Belize’s official Nomination Day. The National Assembly will officially be dissolved on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
The lifting of the registration requirement for Belizean nationals and permanent residents is another effort by the Government of Belize to make the return to Belize easier.
All Belizeans and permanent residents of Belize planning their arrival via the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) must:
• Complete the Belize Travel Health App and save the QR Code and TRIP number issued to show the airline at check-in and upon entry to Belize. The results can be printed or saved on a mobile device. http://reporting.covid19.bz:8080/apex/f?p=141:2
• Belizean nationals and permanent residents do not need register to enter Belize – only download and complete questions on the Belize Health Travel App.
Belizeans, permanent residents, and all others who test negative for COVID-19 and head into the community are expected to self-quarantine at home for 10 days and are strongly encouraged to wear masks, maintain social distancing of six feet where possible, regularly wash hands, refrain from touching the eyes, noses or mouths, and carefully disinfect and regularly wipe down all shared surfaces for their safety and the safety of those around them.
Any person testing positive for COVID-19 upon arrival at the PGIA will be required to transfer to the authorized quarantine hotel (Ramada Belize City Princess Hotel) at their own expense for a period of 14 days or until there are two negative PCR test results. For those unable to pay in such cases, the alternative is the Quarantine Authority designated government-sponsored site such as D’Silva Camp in the Mountain Pine Ridge.
It should be noted that in this third reopening phase, land and sea ports of entry remain closed to travelers at this time except for cargo. Therefore, persons needing to enter or depart Belize via Benque Viejo del Carmen or Corozal must continue to obtain clearance via [email protected] to coordinate their safe transit.
WARNINGS AND WATCHES ISSUED FOR A PORTION OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA…
NHC is issuing advisories on newly formed Tropical Depression Twenty-Five. The government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico from Punta Herrero to Cabo Catoche, and a Tropical Storm Watch south of Punta Herrero to Puerto Costa Maya and west of Cabo Catoche to Dzilam. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the Tropical Storm Warning area by early Saturday, and are possible within the Tropical Storm Watch area on Saturday and Sunday.
At 11 a.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Depression Twenty-Five was located over the northwestern Caribbean Sea about 220 miles (355 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. It’s moving toward the northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), and a gradual turn toward the north-northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of the tropical cyclone should be near the northeastern Yucatan Peninsula on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast to take place, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm by Saturday morning. When that occurs, it will be named Gamma.
The depression is expected to produce rainfall of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches, in portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and far western Cuba. A separate area of significant rain is expected to develop well away from the center in the Mexican states of Campeche, Tabasco, and northern Chiapas, with rainfall of 8 to 12 inches and isolated maximum amounts of 20 inches. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Rainfall of 1 to 3 inches with maximum amounts of 5 inches is expected in the Bay Islands of Honduras.
The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 5 p.m. EDT with an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m. EDT – www.hurricanes.gov
There is a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea that is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. This wave is forecast to move westward at 15 to 20 mph during the next several days, and environmental conditions could become a little more conducive for development when the system is over the central or western Caribbean Sea early next week. It has a near zero chance of formation during the next 48 hours and a low (30 percent) chance during the next five days. – www.hurricanes.gov
Belize City, Belize, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 – Belize officially reopened the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) today welcoming back inbound leisure travel for international visitors, with approved hotels and tour operators only. PGIA has been closed since late march due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Travelers planning to visit Belize in 2020-2021 can choose from a new schedule of year-round, non-stop flights offered by American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines. Beginning Oct. 1, Belize will welcome non-stop flights from Miami (via American Airlines) and Houston (via United Airlines). Similarly, Delta Airlines will resume flights on Nov. 20 with non-stop service from Atlanta. The restoration of direct-flight service enables visitors to get to Belize in approximately three hours or less.
In this initial phase of reopening for international visitation, tourists to Belize will travel within a Tourism Safe Corridor which will include hotels, restaurants and tour operators that have achieved “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition. The Gold Standard Recognition Program is a 9-point program that seeks to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards by adapting new behaviors and procedures to ensure both employees and travelers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product. Businesses that meet the requirements of the Tourism Gold Standard Program are certified and promoted as having implemented these enhanced measures with a Gold Standard Seal of Approval. This seal certifies industry stakeholders who’ve embraced the safety protocols, and will be visible for all guests where practical, such as tour operator vehicles and vessels, hotel lobbies, primary doors of entry, etc.
The first weekend of operation is expected to be a busy one. American Airlines returns with a full flight (72 passengers) on Thursday, and United Airlines makes its commercial return on Friday with 177 passengers. American Airlines will provide service to Belize Thursday through Monday, while United will fly Friday through Sunday. Full flights are expected from both airlines throughout the weekend. Foreign tourist traffic is anticipated to climb as we near our traditional ‘high season’ in November and the latter part of 2020.
All travelers are required to follow new arrival and departure processes to enter and leave the country, all of which are available on https://www.travelbelize.org/health-safety. As the situation continues to remain fluid, these protocols are subject to change. For questions or concerns, contact the BTB at Tel 227-2420 for via email at [email protected].
In March 2000, the governments of Belize and Guatemala restarted talks on their longstanding territorial differendum, under the auspices of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States. On November 8, 2000, Belize and Guatemala signed the first Agreement on Confidence Building Measures, through which the two parties agreed to respect an “Adjacency Line” between each country and an “Adjacency Zone” extending one kilometer east and west from this line. On February 7, 2003, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala signed a second Agreement to Establish a Transition Process and Confidence-Building Measures, which was later amended in September 2005 through “Agreement on a Framework for Negotiations and Confidence-Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala”. Central to the second agreement was the establishment of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone for the purpose of fostering community-to-community contacts across the Adjacency Line and verifying any transgression of the established confidence-building measures and any incidents which may occur in that Zone. The Agreement also called for the establishment of a Group of Friends of the Belize-Guatemala Transition Process (the “Group of Friends”), consisting of OAS Member and Observer States, and others interested in supporting a peaceful resolution to the territorial differendum. The Group of Friends acts as an advisory body to the Secretary General and provides political and operational support for undertaking the various activities contemplated under the agreement on confidence-building measures in force.
Following signature of the 2005 Agreement, two ministerial meetings took place. At the second such meeting, in February 2006, the Secretary General proposed that the negotiation process concerning the territorial differendum begin with the maritime zone. For this aspect of the differendum, the Government of Honduras was invited to participate. A Negotiating Group was formed, which met on several occasions at both the ministerial and technical level, coordinated and facilitated by the Secretary General’s Special Representative. Unfortunately, after almost two years of negotiations, in which a certain degree of rapprochement was achieved, the Parties failed to reach an agreement. The Secretary General therefore recommended that the most appropriate venue for resolving the differendum would be the International Court of Justice. Both countries assented and on December 8, 2008, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala signed, at OAS headquarters, the “Special Agreement between Guatemala and Belize to submit the territorial, insular and maritime claim of Guatemala to the International Court of Justice.”
On April 27, 2012, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala met with the OAS Secretary General in Washington, D.C., and agreed that the simultaneous referenda to submit Guatemala’s claim to the International Court of Justice would be held on Sunday, October 6, 2013. On that occasion, both governments requested the support of the General Secretariat for the education and sensitization campaigns that will be launched to inform the people of both Belize and Guatemala about the up coming differendum process as well as the advantages of submitting the dispute to the ICJ and the disadvantage if it is not submitted.
The final decision to take the case to the ICJ must be confirmed through national referenda in both countries. Following a failed attempt at holding the referenda in 2013, the countries agreed to create the appropriate conditions so that a new date for holding the referenda could be fixed. To this end, on January 24th, 2014, the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala, together with the Secretary General of the OAS, signed the Roadmap Agreement for Strengthening Bilateral Relations and established the Belize- Guatemala Joint Commission to explore and develop projects and programs between the two countries, with the goal of strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between them. The objective of the Road Map was to disengage the issue of the differendum from the urgent need to consolidate the bilateral relationship for the sake of regional cooperation and integration. Under this framework, sixteen bilateral agreements (thirteen formal and three informal) were negotiated and dozens of bilateral meetings among different sectors of society took place. This was a historic step that was accomplished within less than 12 months, which culminated in December 2014. For the first time in history, Belize and Guatemala sat down to normalize their good neighborly relations by formalizing how they will work together in the future on a vast number of issues of common interest and concern. The success of these efforts was key to continue to move the process forward. As a result, on May 25, 2015 the Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala signed the Protocol to the Special Agreement with the OAS Secretary General as witness. This Protocol enables Belize and Guatemala to hold the referenda either simultaneously or separately on the date that is more convenient to each of the Parties.
Thanks to the support of the OAS through the Peace Fund, Belize and Guatemala are closer than ever to finding a permanent solution to their centuries-old conflict.
Review the Entire Timeline and Historical Documents Here.
Source: OAS
Main image courtesy Ambergris Today.
Belize is on the fast track to reopening to leisure travel via its Philip Goldson International Airport on October 1, 2020. This exciting news ushers in many questions for potential travelers. Belize has implemented a five-phase travel reopening plan along with the launch of a Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program. Both measures aim to enhance and enforce standard operating procedures to ensure optimum cleanliness, safe social interactions, and the like, while allowing visitors to enjoy their stay with minimal impact from the changes brought on by COVID-19.
The Government of Belize does not currently have any travel bans in place for potential visitors. However, with the introduction of the “Belize Travel Health” App, new procedures have been established to safeguard the health of Belizeans and visitors alike.
Aside from the regular temperature checks conducted at the International Airport, all travelers are now required to download the “Belize Travel Health” App and register for entry into the country within 72 hours prior to their arrival in Belize. (Note that this eight-step application process should NOT be done more than 72 hours prior to arrival as the unique QR code issued via the App will expire and the process will then need to be repeated.) If registration is not done prior to arrival on the App, attendants will be on hand upon arrival to assist with downloading the app and completing the entry requirements. You will then be required to present the unique QR Code upon arrival at the International Airport.
Here’s a quick tutorial to guide you through the process:
Remember, you must have the device used to register on the App with you when you arrive in Belize and continued internet connectivity is recommended since you will be required to check in daily via the App. The App will then track your movement around the country within Belize’s “safe corridors” for contact tracing should the need arise.
A “fast lane” has been established at the International Airport allowing for an expedited immigration process. All visitors will be allowed to utilize the “fast lane” (including children under 16 years of age) once a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Belize is presented. If no prior testing is done, a double rapid test will be done upon arrival at a cost of USD $50.00 per person. The double rapid test includes a Rapid Antigen Test (nasal swab) and an antibody IgG/IgM combo test (finger prick blood test). Those who test positive will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at an approved hotel and at the traveler’s expense until they are cleared as negative. It is highly recommended that you obtain travel insurance prior to departure in the event that you become sick while on vacation.
As with most countries, public use of face masks is mandatory in Belize and social distancing is enforced in all public areas.
Learn more about traveler classifications and entry requirements for when travel resumes on October 1, 2020 in the infographic below.
Belize has implemented new travel protocols for visitors which include enhanced health and safety protocols for hotels, tour operators, archeological sites, and national parks. These are outlined as follows:
Since you are not allowed to explore Belize on your own. You are required to book your stay only with approved hotels and tour operators who have been trained to operate in this new environment. To reiterate, only approved Gold Standard Hotels and Tour Operators that are certified for enhanced health, safety and cleanliness will be allowed to host international visitors.
COVID-19 does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon, so it’s important to keep in mind that even on vacation precautions must be taken. Consider bringing along the following to help make your trip an uneventful one:
There is so much to choose from when it comes to passing the time while visiting Belize. Nothing is off limits if you are an adventurer. From hiking in the rainforest, to exploring the deep blue sea – you are sure to find an exhilarating activity with one of our Gold Standard Tour Operators. Consider a few of our recommendations:
A broad area of low pressure is expected to form over the western Caribbean Sea in a few days. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for some gradual development thereafter, and a tropical depression could form late this week or this weekend while the system moves slowly west-northwestward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea.
The “Belize Travel Health” App, a newly launched mobile-based application that is now a part of Belize’s phased reopening plan, is now available for free download on both Android and iOS devices. Apple users can locate the App in the App Store while Android users can download the App from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) website. The App can also be downloaded on the Belize Covid-19 website.
Every person entering the country via official ports of entry (Belizeans and Tourists alike) will now be required to download the App and register for entry into the country within 72 hours of arrival in Belize. (Note that this eight-step application process should NOT be done more than 72 hours prior to arrival as the unique QR code issued via the App will expire and the process will then need to be repeated.) If registration is not done prior to arrival on the App, attendants will be on hand upon arrival to assist with downloading the app and completing the entry requirements. You will then be required to present the unique QR Code upon arrival at the International Airport. Remember, you must have the device used to register on the App with you when you arrive in Belize.
The Belize Health App will assist the local Ministry of Health in monitoring visitors whereabouts and possible contact tracing, should the need arise once the country reopens for leisure travel on October 1. Here’s a quick tutorial to walk you through the process:
Belize gained independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. Before independence, Belize went through a democratic process to become a sovereign nation by selecting a national flag and symbols. At that time, Belize already had two established political parties- People’s United Party (PUP) and United Democratic Party (UDP). The national symbols were selected by a bi-partisan committee consisting of members from both political parties.
The Belize flag is red, blue and white. It symbolizes the unity of the nation. At first, the PUP suggested that the flag be blue with a white coat of arms in the middle. However, since the party color for the PUP is blue, the UDP suggested the flag be designed in a way that would unite all citizens regardless of their political affiliation so the National Symbols Committee invited citizens to submit designs for the national flag. The flag’s final design, selected by the Committee, was royal blue with a red stripe on the top and bottom and a coat of arms in white at the middle.
The Belize flag is the only flag in the world that has human beings on it. All other flags have images of inanimate animals.
The Coat of Arms includes a shield which is divided into 3 sections by an inverted Y. The two upper sections contain tools used in the logging industry- a beating axe and paddle in the left section and a squaring axe and saw in the right. The bottom portion of the shield is a ship in full sale on the Caribbean sea.
Supporting the shield are two logwood cutters, one on each side. The one on the left is holding a squaring axe and the one on the right holding a paddle. Atop the shield is a mahogany tree and below it is a scroll with the national motto “Sub Umbra Floreo”, which means “Under the shade I flourish”.
The national flower of Belize is the Black Orchid (Encyclia Cochleatum). The Black Orchid has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the tip. The main petal on the Black Orchid is shaped like the valve of a clam shell and is deep purple/brown color that is almost black.
The Black Orchid is native to Central America, Colombia, the West Indies, Venezuela and Southern Florida.
The national tree of Belize is the Mahogany Tree. The Mahogany tree is one of the biggest trees in Belize’s rainforest. The tree can grow taller than 100 feet and has huge buttresses at its roots. The Mahogany tree rises high above others with a crown of large green leaves.
Mahogany in Belize was exploited by British settlers from around the middle of the 17th century. Mahogany was originally exported to the UK as squared logs. The “shade” heard in the motto in the Coat of Arms refers to that of the Mahogany tree.
The Mahogany tree has a straight grain with no pockets or voids. Its trunk has a reddish/brown color which gets darker over time. When it’s polished, it displays a beautiful red sheen. Mahogany is a very popular wood for furniture because it is very easy to work with and durable.
The national bird of Belize is the Keel Billed Toucan. It is most popularly known for its large, brightly colored green bill and vibrant multi-color (green, blue, red, black and orange) feathers.
Toucans are found in open areas with large trees making a frog-like croak. Toucans nest in holes in these trees and feed off of fruits with their serrated-edged bills. These beautiful birds lay two to four eggs at a time and both parents incubate them. Their nesting stage lasts between six to seven weeks.
The large bills of the Toucans can sometimes be as long as half the length of the bird’s body. Despite being so large, the Toucan’s bill is very light and is made of bone struts filled with keratin. Their bill has forward facing serrations that resemble teeth.
The national animal of Belize is the Tapir, also known as the Mountain Cow. The Tapir is the largest land mammal in the American tropics. The Tapir is a stout animal with short legs that can weigh as much as 800 pounds. It is normally a dusty brown color with a white trim around the eyes, lips and ears. Occasionally, white patches can be seen on the fur by the throat and chest.
Despite being locally referred to as the Mountain cow, the Tapir bears no relation to a cow. Rather it is more closely related to the horse and rhinoceros.
The Tapir is a vegetarian. It spends most of its time in water and is a very strong swimmer. The Tapir is protected under the wildlife protection laws of Belize which makes hunting for the animal illegal.
The Baird’s Tapir is the Tapir that lives in Belize and one of four Latin American species. The Baird’s Tapir is known for its distinctive cream-colored marking on its face and throat and the dark spot on each cheek and below the eye. It is the largest land mammal from Mexico to South America and averages 2 meters in length, 1.2 meters in height and up to 880 pounds. They have 4 toes on each front foot and 3 toes on each back foot.
The national prayer of Belize was written by Belize’s first prime minister, Hon. George Price. The prayer was adapted from a prayer for the church and civil authorities that was written by archbishop John Carroll in November 1791.
Belize’s National Prayer
Almighty and Eternal God, who through Jesus Christ has revealed Your Glory to all nations, please protect and preserve Belize, our beloved country.
God of might, wisdom and justice, please assist our Belizean government and people with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude.
Let Your light of divine wisdom direct their plans and endeavors so that with Your help we may attain our just objectives. With Your guidance, may all our endeavors tend to peace, social justice, liberty, national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge.
We pray, o God of Mercy, for all of us that we may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Your most holy law, that we may be preserved in the union and in peace which the world itself cannot give. And, after enjoying the blessings of this life, please admit us, dear Lord, to that eternal reward that You have prepared for those who love You.
Amen.
The national anthem of Belize is “Land of the Free”. The lyrics were written by Samuel Haynes and music composed by Selwyn Walford Young in 1963. The national anthem was officially adopted on independence day September 21, 1981. It was originally titled “Land of the Gods” but it was later changed due to sensitivity that the word “Gods” would be thought of as unchristian-like.
Land of the Free
O land of the free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy.
The blood of our sires which hallows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression’s rod,
By the might of truth and the grace of God,
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.
Refrain:
Arise! Ye sons of the Baymen’s clan,
Put on your armour, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants, let deposts flee-
Land of the free by the Carib Sea!
Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O’er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invader; this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes tomorrow’s noon.
Being involved in any kind of car accident or collision can be extremely stressful.
Whether the collision is a minor accident with not much damage or a car wreck that has written on your car there are certain procedures you must follow.
So, let’s take a look at what they are.
Stop The Car
As soon as you realize that you have been involved in a car accident no matter how small or large the first thing you must do is stop the car.
It is illegal in most countries to leave the scene of an accident, regardless of the size of the accident and whether anyone is hurt or not, so pull over and stop in a safe place as soon as possible.
It’s also a good idea to put on your hazard lights to warn any other traffic on the road that an incident has occurred. This is particularly important if the accident has taken place during the night while its dark and visibility is low.
Check For Injuries
Check yourself and any passengers you may have in the car for any injuries you may have sustained during the crash.
Many people wonder what to do if in a car accident and checking for injuries is one of the first things anyone should do after they have stopped and switched off the ignition of the vehicle.
If the toy and everyone in your car is injury free, then check on the other involved vehicle to see if they have sustained any injuries.
If anyone is injured or seriously hurt, then you should ring for an ambulance immediately.
Ring The Police
Although ringing the police is not always necessary for every single car crash, if there have been any injuries sustained or if the vehicles involved are blocking any roads or lanes they will need to be called.
When ringing the police state clearly and precisely what has happened and where you are in as much detail. The more detail you give them the better as it will quicken their arrival time to the scene of the crash.
Once the police have arrived, let them take over dealing with everything as they are trained to deal with these types of incidents.
Swap Details
It is vitally important that in all accidents and car crashes that you swap details with the other driver. Not doing so is a crime in most countries.
You will need to swap insurance details as well as contact names, numbers, and other personal information. Again, it is important that you get all correct information to speed up the process for the insurance companies to deal with the incident.
If the other driver refuses to cooperate with sharing these details or they do not have a valid insurance with the car, make sure that you take down their number plate and description and contact the police immediately. It is important with these types of cases to act fast and not delay.
Witness Statements
If there were any people who witnessed the accident who were not involved in the crash, it’s important you speak to them and get their details. This can be really important if there is any dispute between who was at fault for the accident.
Most bystanders who witness an accident will be more than happy to help with a witness statement. It’s a good idea to speak to them, get their details and find out what they saw as soon as possible.
This can be so very important if they witnessed that the crash was the other driver’s fault and not yours as your insurance company and the police can use their witness statement in the court of law. So always seek out bystanders to the incident to find out what they saw and heard.
Take Photographs
In this day and age everyone has camera phones on them so there is no excuse in not taking photos of the evidence. This can be really useful further down the line for the insurance companies when they decide if they will pay out or not for the damage caused.
Take pictures of both the damage on your car and the other vehicle involved. Take as many detailed pictures as possible, the more the better as this will help you in the long run.
If there is any debris on the road or other things that may be important for your insurance company to see take photos of these as well. It is better to have more pictures than needed rather than no pictures of not enough to help your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company
This is the final and most important step. Once you have done all the above it’s time to speak with your insurance company.
Detail with them as much information regarding the accident as possible making sure not to leave out any detail regardless of how small you may think it is, as the more information and evidence they have the easier it is for them to deal with the incident.
Even if you are involved in a very minor collision or accident it’s vital that you let your car insurance company know straight away. It is illegal in most countries to not report a car accident with your insurance company. If you do not report it and it is later discovered either from a third party witness or the other car involved, you can and most likely will be prosecuted and you could end up losing your license.
So even though you may think it’s a nuisance to get the insurance company involved it is something that has to be done regardless of how big or small the accident has been.
Conclusion
No one likes to be involved in any type of car crash let alone one that could write off your car. But if you should be involved in any such incident in Belize then follow the above advice and all laws within the country for the best outcome.
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