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.

The Ministry of Finance announced that today, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, the pump price for regular gasoline will increase by $0.76 from $8.08 to $ 8.84 per gallon.

The prices for premium gasoline, kerosene and diesel will remain unchanged at $10.92, $5.43 and $7.28 per gallon, respectively.

The price change reflects the current demand and supply conditions of crude oil in the international petroleum market and fluctuations in the acquisition price of refined fuel products in the countries from which Belize obtains its supplies.

The Government of Belize is monitoring the price movements and supply conditions closely and will work with the fuel industry to safeguard the pump prices paid by Belizean consumers.

Celebrate World Sea Turtle Day with Oceana and filmmaker Rory Fielding. In this one hour virtual event, view selected clips from WLRN’s “Troubled Waters: A Turtle’s Tale” and join in the audience Q&A with special expert guests. FREE registration.

Panelists include:

Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., FAU Marine Laboratory

Dr. Maria Chadam, DVM, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Whitney Crowder, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Manager, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Caitlin Bovery, Sea Turtle Rehabilitation, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

Rory Fielding, Filmmaker and Producer

Cortney Fielding, Writer and Co-Producer

Catherine Uden, S Florida Campaign Organizer, Oceana

FREE REGISTRATION for this event here:
https://oceana-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vAinhMNqQqSXIySeoyX96g

When you register, you will receive a link to the film and a link for the live event.

The live event will take place June 16th at 6:30 PM Eastern time.

Click the event link for more information.

The National Biodiversity Office under the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development announces the re-opening of protected areas under its management, including national parks, nature reserves, natural monuments and wildlife sanctuaries.

All visitors to these protected areas are advised that social distancing and other measures required under the state of emergency regulations must always be observed to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in Belize. These sites will be open to the public between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Belizeans are invited to come out and enjoy the beauty of these areas and are asked to be good stewards by abiding by all park rules.

For further information, please contact:
The National Biodiversity Office
+501 828-8956 or +501 828-4878

Lobster season in Belize is like Christmas in the summertime. Every Belizean looks forward to the first day of the lobster season when they can enjoy the decadence of a garlic-butter or BBQ’d lobster tail.

The opening of the lobster season usually marks the beginning of a great celebration in Belize – the annual lobster fest! It’s held annually in Caye Caulker and Placencia and does not disappoint with the wide array of locally-inspired dishes you can choose from all with Lobster as the main ingredient!

Today marks the opening of the 2020 Lobster season in Belize, so we’d like you to remember a few things to help keep our spiny lobster around for a long time:

• the minimum acceptable shell length of fished lobster is 3 inches
• the minimum tail weight of the fished lobster is 4 ounces
• no person or establishment should currently have in its possession fillet or diced lobster tail
• it is illegal to catch any soft shell or female lobsters carrying eggs
• it is illegal to remove from any female lobster any eggs or spawn or the setae or fiber to which any eggs or spawn are or have been attached

Remember, an open season doesn’t mean it’s a free time for all, so fish responsibly and enjoy!

This is a summary of Statutory Instrument No. 85 of 2020 which comes into effect today, Friday, June 12, 2020.

In essence, the following now apply:

• curfew is still imposed and in effect for the entire country for BOTH Adults and Minors, 16 years and under from:
  • Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m.
  • Friday to Saturday from 12:00 a.m. to 4:59 a.m.
• exercise is allowed at any time outside established curfew hours;
• all sporting activities are allowed EXCEPT for competitive sporting events;
• gyms and spas are now allowed to open;
• every business or service can operate EXCEPT:
  • Discos, bars, rum shops, and nightclubs.
  • Daycare centers, childcare centers, nurseries and other similar establishments or businesses.
• all public pools, beaches and rivers are OPEN to the public;
• a person CAN host or attend:
  • A private party of no more than 100 persons which can include persons living outside the household;
  • A recreational event of not more than 100 persons;
  • A wedding which has more than 100 persons;
  • A banquet or reception;
  • Any social event;
  • A funeral which has more than 100 persons;
  • A meeting of fraternal society, private or social club, or organization;
• every person traveling on public transportation MUST wear a face mask or nose and mouth covering for the duration of the journey;
• all ports of entry are and will remain closed for the purpose of travelling except for:
  • Cargo flights, cargo shipments and Commercial courier flights;
  • Emergency medical flights;
  • Emergency flights approved by the Minister of National Security;
• all ports of entry into and out of Belize remain CLOSED;

Visit the Belize Press Office website for the full breakdown of the Statutory Instrument.