PRESS RELEASE

Taiwan Donates COVID-19 Antibody Rapid Test Kits to Belize

Belmopan. July 1, 2020. 5:30 p.m.

The Embassy of Taiwan today, July 1st, donated 5,000 COVID-19 antibody rapid test kits to Belize.

These test kits are developed by Taiwan’s Excelsior Bio-System Incorporation and can deliver reliable results in just 10 to 15 minutes with 100 percent sensitivity and 95 percent specificity. These kits can be used to screen potential carriers of the virus who were infected more than seven days prior to testing. This medical assistance will help strengthen the capacity of the Government of Belize to ensure a smooth and safe re-opening of the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport scheduled for August 15, 2020.

H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, handed over the test kits to Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow.

The Government of Taiwan has also donated PCR analyzers and PCR test kits, 640,000 surgical masks, six thermal imaging cameras, 10,000 N-95 masks, 700 infrared forehead thermometers, 2,000 protective clothing, 4,000 isolation gowns, two automated temperature measurement systems, 10,000 nasal swabs and five ventilators in support of the efforts of the Government of Belize to contain COVID-19. Additionally, Taiwan has provided financial aid to Belize in the past few months.

The Government of Taiwan remains committed to assisting the people and Government of Belize in the fight against COVID-19 and appreciates Belize’s staunch support of Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization and its annual World Health Assembly.

Through its Embassy in Belize, the Government of Taiwan will continue to work closely with its partners in the Government of Belize to weather this catastrophic pandemic.

Ends

Active surveillance continues by the Ministry of Health and today, the Director of Health Services announced that they have identified 4 new cases of COVID-19 as a result of repatriation.

Today, 95 samples were processed which identified four persons who arrived in-country last week, two through the Northern Border entry point and two on the repatriation flight this past Friday.

All four persons are asymptomatic and immediately entered mandatory quarantine upon arrival.

Surveillance efforts continue through the Ministry of Health.

As of Wednesday, July 1, 2020,  the State of Emergency (SOE) in Belize expires, and with it ends the curfew that had been enforced across the country of Belize as a result of the rise of the coronavirus pandemic. However, since COVID-19 is still a threat to Belizeans and the Belizean economy, regulations will be in place to ensure that safety protocols are being adhered to.

Some of the major changes in this new relaxed norm are as follows:

• No more Curfew
• Land Borders to remain closed
• Only legal way to travel to Belize is through the International Airport
• Face masks must still be worn
• Social distancing must still be exercised (6 feet apart)
• Bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and all other businesses are now allowed to re-open
• The only time face masks are not required is when someone is at home, driving in their vehicle, persons participating in church services, when eating at a restaurant, while exercising, and participating in sporting events
• Failure to use face masks in public places can result in an arrest and charge

Here are two of the recent Statutory Instruments put in place regarding Public Health and Quarantine.

The National Celebration Commission invites all Belizeans living at home or abroad to submit ideas for the 2020 September Celebrations theme in commemoration of the 222nd Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 39th Anniversary of Belize’s Independence.

The theme should not be more than ten (10) words. Multiple entries are allowed and the winner will receive a cash prize of $500.

Submissions can be emailed to: [email protected] or dropped off at the NICH office on Regent Street, the Bliss Center for Performing Arts on Southern Foreshore in Belize City or at any of the Houses of Culture in the districts.

Please call the secretariat at 227-2110 for more information.

Deadline for submission is Wednesday July 15th, 2020.

With the scheduled reopening of Belize’s International Airport on August 15, 2020, the Prime Minister of Belize announced a phased re-opening plan for the Tourism sector. The re-opening of the international airport will usher in further travel relaxations and open entry for chartered flights, private aviation and limited re-opening of international leisure travel with approved hotels.

The Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation has also approved enhanced health and safety protocols for hotels which is intended to serve as the foundation for Belize’s “Tourism Gold Standard” recognition program for local hotels, restaurants, and tour operators. This program seeks to enhance health and safety standards for the tourism industry to ensure that both employees and travelers are confident with the cleanliness and safety of local tourism products and services.

Here’s a brief summary of the new standards as issued by the Belize Tourism Board:

The Office of Director of Health Services issued an update advising that they have identified COVID-19 case #24 in the country as a Honduran national who was caught in Belizean waters and is currently under mandatory quarantine in Dangriga. This person, like previous cases, is asymptomatic.

At present, a total of three active cases remain.

The Office of Director of Health Services advises that their enhanced surveillance for the identification of COVID-19 cases in Belize continues.

The Prime Minister announced that a soft opening of the Philip Goldson International Airport will take place on August 15, 2020. The reopening of the International airport marks the third stage in Belize’s five-phase reopening strategy for tourism in Belize. To date, no announcements have been made regarding specific country restrictions.

According to the Belize Press Office, the decision to reopen the international airport was made in conjunction with Belize’s Ministry of Health and took into consideration the ongoing guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Though dates have yet to be announced, phase four will see the full reopening of the overnight tourism sector, including land borders and other smaller ports, and concluding with the resumption of cruise tourism in phase five.

The Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation has approved a set of national guidelines for the reopening of Belize’s tourism sector. The complete set of guidelines as issued by the Belize Tourism Board can be accessed by clicking the image below.

As Belize’s tourism industry prepares to reopen to international travelers, new travel norms and guidelines have been put in place for the accommodation sector. The Belize Tourism Board’s (BTB) priority in the safety of both our visitors and community is of utmost importance, which is why new operating protocols for hotels and restaurants are being provided below. These guidelines have been approved by the Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and will serve as the foundation for addressing the new health and safety challenges presented by Covid-19.

In addition, the BTB is introducing the “Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program”. This Program focuses on enhancing the hotel and restaurant cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures, while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. For more information on this 9-point program and on the new policies, kindly see below.

Some of the enhanced protocols include: 

• Identification of a Gold Standard Program Manager to implement and monitor the new protocols and act as the health liaison between the Ministry of Health, employees and guests.
• Enforcing social distancing and the use of face masks while in public spaces.
• Deployment of technology to provide for online check-in/out, contact-less payment systems, and automated ordering/booking systems to reduce physical interactions.
• Installation of hand hygiene and sanitizing stations across the property.
• Enhanced room cleaning and increased sanitizing of public spaces and high touch areas.
• Implementation of Reporting and Monitoring processes to provide for daily health and temperature checks for guests and employees. This includes Registering and implementing the use of THIS (Tourism & Health Information System).
• Development of a Response Plan to handle sick employees or guests.
• Training for all employees in the new protocols.

As the country continues to prepare for re-opening, Belize wants to assure its citizens and visitors, that their health & safety is of highest priority.

The complete Accommodations Protocols can be found on the Belize Tourism Board‘s Website.

With the arrival of more than 40 persons via repatriation flights on Friday, June 19, 2020, the Ministry of Health announced that a new case of COVID-19 has surfaced. Forty-five (45) samples were taken from those arriving through repatriation exercises which revealed a further case of COVID-19 in-country.

This new case is that of a young female who is asymptomatic and requires no treatment. She was placed in immediate quarantine upon arrival into the country in accordance with established protocols.

The Ministry of Health continues with its heightened surveillance.