With the 2019-2020 school year coming to a close at the end of June, a press conference was held today by the Ministry of Education to provide an update on the state of education in the country. The Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, assured the public that the preparation for the reopening of schools has begun.

Minister Faber went on to state that the Ministry is working tirelessly to address health concerns of Teachers, Parents, and Management alike to ensure that the reopening of schools is done in a way that will be conducive to guidelines set forth by the Ministry of Health and other regulatory bodies.

The Minister of Education pointed out the following during his presentation:

1. From June 15 to June 30 – Secondary schools teachers and Councillors will begin preparations for the C-SEC/CXC exams and pre-planning for the reopening of the new school year.
2. June 15 to June 30 – Students are to return to school to prepare for the CXC exams in Belize.
3. June 22 to June 31 – ITVET teachers and Councillors are to return to begin preparations for the start of the new school year.
4. July 13 to August 4 – CXC and CAPE exams to be administered.
5. August 3 to August 7 – All levels of teachers for primary and secondary schools to return and prepare for the new school year.
6. August 10, 2020 – School resumes for the 2020-2021 school year for the preschool, primary and secondary levels.
7. August 24, 2020 – School resumes for the 2020-2021 school year for ITVET.
8. The Belize Diagnostic Assessment Test (BDAT) will be administered upon the reopening of school, within the first few weeks, to determine where students are in relation to the primary level of education required.
9. Since the Primary School Examination (PSE) was not administered to the class of 2019-2010 Standard 6 students, it will be administered to all 1st form students upon the reopening of school in August, within the first few weeks, to determine learning needs and to conduct effective development programs.
10. All schools are expected to develop learning continuity plans in the event of another forced closure of schools.
11. The last Friday in June another home-based learning package will be made available at https://resource.moe.gov.bz/.

The Minister of Education assured the public that a set of guidelines on the use of face masks and face coverings will be determined upon the reopening of schools.

The Ministry urges parents or volunteers to make time to assist in their local schools with disinfecting, cleaning, purchasing of disinfectant material, and laying of social distancing markers in preparation for the reopening of schools in August. If you or someone you know are interested in providing assistance kindly contact the Ministry Officials at +501-615-7402 or +501-615-7599.

The Ministry of Education informed the public that they will be hosting the first National Virtual Graduation for Secondary School students where they will be honoring top scorers across the country. The ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 7, Love FM, Krem TV and Wave TV on Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

The Ministry reminds the public that these dates can fluctuate as time progresses and the conditions under COVID-19 change. Stay up to date with the facts on the Ministry of Education‘s website and releases from the Belize Press Office.

More than fifty (50) days after the last reported case of COVID-19 in Belize, the Ministry of Health has confirmed our first new positive case. This case is that of a 27-year-old male who arrived in-country on Saturday, May 23, 2020 from a cruise ship as a part of the established repatriation process for Belizeans. Upon arrival, those persons all went into a mandatory quarantine at the Radisson. The male is asymptomatic for COVID-19 and was detected from among 10 persons that were swabbed from that first arriving group who were being tested prior to their release as per the established protocols. This set of tests produced one (1) reactive test with the other nine (9) being negative for SARS-CoV2. The contact tracing for this individual has started and the due process of informing the cruise ship and relevant counterparts has started.

From arrival up to today, the due protocols to minimize contact and exposure have been followed so this is being considered an isolated case which has been contained. The person remains asymptomatic and in isolation.

The Ministry of Health continues with its enhanced surveillance across the country and urges the public to continue to exercise the necessary prevention measures.

The Belize Press Office has issued a release which breaks down Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2020 which came into effect on June 1, 2020, to make it easier and clearer for the general population to understand.

The hope is to dispel any concerns and relieve worry about the interpretation of the law.

Stay up-to-date with changes to the SI with the Belize Press Office.

With the start of the hurricane season, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has provided a list of hurricane shelters countrywide for easy reference. As you already know, these shelters will be opened as needed in the event of flooding, hurricane, or major weather emergencies. This means that NEMO officials will declare respective shelters open in the event of an imminent storm.

Primary emergency shelters are most often located at public schools and Government-owned buildings. The public is advised to never go to a shelter unless officials have declared it open and ready for use.

We remind you that going to a shelter should be a last resort and that shelters are intended for residents in low-lying areas of the county who have nowhere else to go during a storm. If you’re planning to ride out a hurricane at a shelter, here’s what you need to bring:

• Cots or air mattresses and bedding– beds are not provided
• Clothing for at least three days and sturdy shoes
• Hygiene items
• A two week supply of all medications
• Enough food and water, per person, for at least three days
• Puzzles, games, books and other entertainment items

Keep in mind that not all shelters will have dependable electricity throughout the storm, so it’s a good idea to pack batteries and flashlights.

We encourage you to stay up-to-date with the local Meteorological Service on weather conditions in your area.

In a press release issued today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised that the controlled repatriation program began on May 8, 2020 with encouraging stranded and displaced Belizeans to submit an online application at https://repatriation.covid19.bz/Forms/Landing to commence the repatriation process.

The release went on to state that the Minister of National Security has to date, approved the return of 168 Belizeans. The first two groups of repatriated Belizeans have left quarantine after all confirming negative for COVID-19.

Belizeans who are stranded/displaced abroad and wish to return home can apply by submitting completed COVID-19 screening and Belize controlled repatriation forms which can be found at https://www.covid19.bz.

In a press release issued on June 4, 2020, the Belize Press Office stated that the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated 15,000 masks in support of the Government of Belize and its comprehensive and coordinated efforts taken to contain COVID-19. H. E. Remus Li Kuo Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, also donated an automated temperature measurement system to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The release went on to state that these actions reflect the consistent and robust engagement by Taiwan to partner in Belize’s development. The assistance given on multiple levels recognizes that economic stability, the effects of climate change, and good public health are intertwined.

In an online press conference released today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced the first-ever US Dollar-denominated Treasury Note in Belize.

The Prime Minister stated that in the coming days an inflow of financial support from international organizations is expected. With this inflow comes a supply of much needed foreign exchange, with this said, the Prime Minister went on the update the nation on the decision to offer, for the first time in Belize, US Dollar Treasury Notes.

Here’s a full transcript of the press conference held today courtesy of the Belize Press Office:

“My fellow Belizeans,

Last week, when I provided an update on Government’s crisis response to COVID-19, I offered a reassurance of broad financial sector stability and, in particular, of continued commercial access to a sufficiency of foreign currency supply for essential imports.

The certitude I conveyed is sowed by a ceaseless, creative campaign to tap every available source of external financing in support of our economy.

In the next few days, the first disbursement from the IDB’s package is expected; and thereafter, in rapid succession during the ensuing months, the flows will come from Taiwan, the World Bank and OFID, in a total amount of some US$100 million. These fresh inflows will augment the Central Bank’s official reserve position, which currently surpasses the traditional 3 months of import cover. And the renewal of tourism earnings will commence during the third or, at the latest, fourth quarter of this year.

Over and above these three distinct layers of foreign exchange supply, I am pleased to announce now a groundbreaking initiative by the Central Bank: the first-ever public placement of a U.S. dollar-denominated Treasury Note, backed by the full faith and credit of the Government of Belize.

With a face value of US$30 million, a tenor of 5 years and a coupon of 6.5%, the special offering will be launched on June 05, 2020. Interest on the Note is to be paid semi-annually and principal redemption will be settled in three equal tranches at the close of Years 3, 4 and 5.

Proceeds of the Note are purposed to augment the stock of official Central Bank reserves while the maturity is tailor-made to span the crisis. Hence the affordable principal payoff dates, positioned well beyond what we believe to be the temporary economic slump caused by the COVID-19 lockdown.

To facilitate the remittance of interest and principal payments, successful purchasers of these Notes, whether individual, institutional or corporate, will of course be eligible for domestic U.S. dollar accounts.  The Central Bank and our commercial banks will closely collaborate to ensure a subscription process that is both efficient and diligent.

It is widely acknowledged that U.S. dollar accounts have been held abroad by Belizean businesses and individuals from time immemorial. This tax-free Treasury Note now has been crafted as an exceptional, seamless opportunity to relocate this capital to a safe, fixed income asset of the highest credit quality available in Belize.

Beyond the innovation of this first-of-a-kind Treasury Note, Government and the Central Bank will continue to engage financial intermediaries and their customers, encouraging fair and timely measures that foster confidence, stimulate employment and protect equity.

I reaffirm, in closing, my unshakeable confidence that we will bridge this crisis. When our country reopens for transnational business, the medical success that together we continue to achieve in containing the COVID-19 virus, will unquestionably elevate the prestige and the premium of our Belizean brand.

I thank you.”

Тhе Rерublіс оf Сhіnа (Таіwаn) hаѕ рlасеd а bаn оn аllоwіng fоrеіgn unіvеrѕіtу ѕtudеntѕ іntо thе соuntrу аѕ СОVІD-19 саѕеѕ соntіnuе tо run rаmраnt thrоughоut thе wоrld, ассоrdіng tо аn аrtісlе рublіѕhеd іn Таіwаn Nеwѕ.

Таіwаn’ѕ Міnіѕtrу оf Еduсаtіоn rероrtеdlу dіѕаllоwеd ѕоmе 26,000 fоrеіgn ѕtudеntѕ frоm еntеrіng thе соuntrу duе tо СОVІD-19 соnсеrnѕ. Тhе Міnіѕtrу ѕаіd thаt іt wіll wаіt untіl thе раndеmіс hаѕ ѕhоwn ѕоmе ѕіgnѕ оf dесlіnе glоbаllу bеfоrе іt lіftѕ thе rеѕtrісtіоn.

Таіwаn nеwѕ ѕаіd thаt thе соuntrу hаd hореd tо lіft thе rеѕtrісtіоn іn Јulу but lаtеr rеvеrѕеd thе іdеа аѕ саѕеѕ соntіnuе tо rіѕе glоbаllу. Gоіng fоrwаrd, аdmіѕѕіоn оf fоrеіgn ѕtudеntѕ wіll bе lаrgеlу dереndеnt uроn thе раndеmіс ѕubѕіdіng glоbаllу, аѕ wеll аѕ Таіwаn’ѕ tеѕtіng сарасіtу аnd thе аvаіlаbіlіtу оf dоrmѕ аt thе unіvеrѕіtіеѕ.

Аѕ оf tоdау, Јunе 6, 2020, Таіwаn hаѕ gоnе 53 dауѕ wіthоut lосаl саѕеѕ. Тhе соuntrу, whісh hаѕ а рорulаtіоn оf аrоund 23 mіllіоn, ѕаw а tоtаl оf 443 саѕеѕ аnd ѕеvеn dеаthѕ, dеѕріtе іtѕ рrохіmіtу tо mаіnlаnd Сhіnа, whеrе thе раndеmіс оrіgіnаtеd.

Тhе glоbаl numbеr оf соnfіrmеd СОVІD-19 саѕеѕ ѕtаndѕ аt оvеr 6.6 mіllіоn, wіth оvеr 389,000 dеаthѕ.

Source: Breaking Belize News

In a press release issued today by the Belize Press Office, the Government of Belize advised the public that the hotlines/help numbers that were listed on the Unemployment Relief Portal are inactive due to public officers returning to their substantive posts. A public notice will be issued when the hotline/help numbers are reactivated. In the meantime, kindly send information and queries via email to [email protected].

It further states that any approved applicant whose payment has been returned from their bank or credit union due to errors in their banking information can confirm that they wish to receive their payments by way of a TopUp Card by sending a text to +501-613-0095. These persons can also email their confirmation to [email protected]. 

Here’s the full release:

Dozens of ancient well-preserved skeletons were discovered in rock shelters in the Mayan Mountains of Belize. The remains seem to have been buried over 10,000 years ago, with the oldest remains dating back to between 9,600 and 8,600 years ago, with continued burials occurring until about 1,000 years ago. The remains hold clues to the origins of maize as a staple of the human diet.

Because these areas are high in humidity, it is extremely rare to find older human remains and this burial site is the only one of its kind in the Neotropics that was used repeatedly. This gave researchers an opportunity to study dietary changes over a prolonged period of time.

Researchers examined 44 skeletons of adult males and females as well as children, and measured levels of carbon and nitrogen to gather information on their diet. It was discovered that the oldest specimen fed on herbs and berries. Further bone analysis of the ancient skeletons revealed that humans first started eating maize at least 4,700-years-ago.

Radiocarbon dating of the skeletal remains helped the team discover the point where humans transitioned from pre-maize diets to a farmed food source. Maize made up about a third of people’s diets in the area around 4,700 years ago, rising to about 70 percent just 700 years later.

Evidence exists to show that maize was first cultivated in the Maya lowlands around 6,500 years ago.

Until now, not much was known about when humans started consuming maize – a crop that was once readily available to only South America has become an important part of diets all across the world.

Learn more about this groundbreaking research in the Science Advances Magazine from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.