Prime Minister Dean Barrow held a press conference today, May 29, 2020 to discuss further relaxation of the current state of emergency. 

Among those restrictions that are set to change are the following:

• social gatherings of up to forty (40) persons while continuing to practice social distancing;
• tacos and other street vendors can now reopen, but will need to comply with certain sanitary protocols. Those protocols are being finalized and will be handed personally to those who have emerged as the leaders of the street vendor community;
• all restaurants are now allowed to operate on condition that the physical distancing and other rules will still apply;
• the re-institution of Boledo and Sunday Lottery sales;
• casinos are allowed to be reopened, but neither smoking nor alcohol consumption is to be allowed as yet;
• gyms are now allowed to reopen in accordance with strict guidelines ratified by the National Oversight Committee;
• all non-contact open air sports are permitted for practice and exercise purposes;
• exercise hours are no longer restricted to the 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.;
• sport fishing is now allowed;
• a change in curfew hours for Fridays and Saturdays only. Curfew on those days will be from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.; curfew hours remain the same for all other days;
• minors can move about from 5:00 a.m. up to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 p.m. on weekends if, and only if, they are accompanied by a responsible adult;

Discussions are still ongoing regarding the 2020 graduation and prom season. 

The amended Statutory Instrument comes into effect on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.

Click here for the full transcript of the Prime Minister’s press conference.

All lottery draws will resume effective Monday, June 1, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. daily. Only the Sunday lottery will be played at 10:00 a.m. as normal.

Kindly note that any tickets purchased for the respective games dated April 2^nd will be honored for the first draws of each game to be drawn on the dates below:

• Boledo & Pick 3 – June 1, 2020
• Fantasy 5 – June 2, 2020
• Sunday Lottery – June 7, 2020

Players may contact Brads’s Gaming Company with all queries regarding the lottery draws at +501-223-1219 and we encourage you to continue utilizing MyBelize.Net for updates.

Boledo | Pick 3 | Fantasy 5 | Lottery

Thank you for your support and wish you best of luck in the games!

On this Friday evening over the eastern North Pacific Ocean, the shower and thunderstorm activity in association with a broad area of low pressure, located a couple of hundred miles south of the coasts of Central America and southern Mexico, is becoming better organized. Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development and a tropical depression could form during this weekend before the system moves northward and inland over Central America or southern Mexico. It has a medium (60 percent) chance of formation during the next 48 hours and a high (70 percent) chance during the next five days.

Regardless of development, this system is expected to produce heavy rainfall over portions of Central America and southern Mexico during this weekend and early next week. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, especially in areas of mountainous terrain. See products from your local meteorological service for additional information. www.hurricanes.gov

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has today, recognized Michele Irving from Dangriga Town, representing Belize, as the 139th Commonwealth Point of Light in honor of her exceptional voluntary service supporting the most vulnerable during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Michele is supporting the most vulnerable in her community during the current COVID- 19 crisis by coordinating the provision of goods and assistance to the elderly, survivors of gender-based violence and people living with HIV. Michele is also working with local NGOs to ensure that access to sexual and reproductive health services is maintained during the pandemic.

As part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018, Her Majesty The Queen – as Head of the Commonwealth – is thanking inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond, by recognizing one volunteer from each Commonwealth country every week. By sharing these stories of service, the Commonwealth Points of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth and help inspire others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time, including the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Michele said:
“It is indeed both humbling and exhilarating to be recognized for what I love to do. My life’s work is rooted in helping others. It is fuel by a sense of equity, equality and justice that is deeply rooted in my love and respect for humanity. ‘A luta continua.’”

Claire Evans OBE, UK High Commissioner in Belize, said:
“It has given me great pleasure to present this Commonwealth Point of Light award to Michele on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. Michele’s active contribution in her community over the last 25 years deserves this praise and recognition alone however her selfless dedication to supporting the most vulnerable in her community during this unprecedented time of Covid-19 is remarkable. Michele’s enthusiasm, determination and consideration for others is an inspiration and a wonderful role model.”

The Commonwealth is a diverse community of 54 nations that work together to promote prosperity, democracy and peace. The Heads of Government meeting brought together leaders from all the 54 Member countries to reaffirm common values, address shared global challenges and agree how to work to create a better future for all citizens, especially young people. Voluntary service is a vital part of this agenda, which is why Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognize outstanding volunteers across the Commonwealth in this special way.

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture issued a press release answering frequently asked questions regarding the 2020 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) exams. The release confirmed plans to conduct the 2020 CXCs in a modified format as a result of COVID-19. The exams are scheduled for the last week in June through July 2020.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a special tropical weather outlook today, Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

For the North Atlantic…Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

Special Tropical Weather Outlook issued to discuss the potential for tropical or subtropical development near the northwest Bahamas.

1. A trough of low pressure over the Straits of Florida is producing a large area of cloudiness and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are expected to become conducive for development, and this system is likely to become a tropical or subtropical storm by late Friday or Saturday when it is located near the northwestern Bahamas. The system is then forecast to move generally northeastward over the western Atlantic early next week.

Regardless of development, the disturbance has the potential to bring heavy rainfall to portions of the Florida Keys, southeast Florida, and the Bahamas through Saturday. Tropical-storm-force wind
gusts are also possible in the Florida Keys, southeast Florida, and the Bahamas during the next day or two. Hazardous marine conditions are also expected along the Florida east coast and in the Bahamas where Gale Warnings are in effect. See products from your local weather office and High Seas Forecasts for more details. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this system tomorrow, if necessary.

• Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent.
• Formation chance through 5 days…high…80 percent.

The time to prepare for a hurricane is before the season begins, when you have the time and are not under pressure. If you wait until a hurricane is on your doorstep, the odds are that you will be under duress and will make the wrong decisions. Take the time now to write down your hurricane plan. Know who issues evacuation orders for your area, determine locations on where you will ride out the storm, and start to get your supplies now.  Being prepared before a hurricane threatens makes you resilient to the hurricane impacts of wind and water. It will mean the difference between being a hurricane victim or a hurricane survivor.

When preparing for the upcoming hurricane season keep the following in mind:

• Complete a written plan
  • Have photo documentation of your valuables
  • Keep your important documents together for quick access
  • Share your plan
• Help your neighbor
  • Help your neighbors prepare
  • Help your neighbors evacuate
  • Check-in after the storm passes
• Strengthen your home
  • Cover windows
  • Trim trees
  • Secure loose outdoor items
  • Secure all doors
  • Move your car to a safe location
• Get an insurance check-up
  • Check with your agent
  • Keep your documents with you
  • Consider flood insurance
  • Know your policy
• Assemble disaster supplies
  • Food/Water
  • Medicine
  • Batteries, Radio, Chargers
  • Gas up
  • Cash on hand
• Develop an evacuation plan
  • Find out if you live in an evacuation zone
  • Plan out a route
  • Follow evacuation orders
  • Plan for your pets
• Determine your risk
  • Storm surge
  • Rip currents
  • Inland flooding
  • Tornadoes
  • Strong winds

While preparing for hurricane season, always follow the latest guidelines from the local Government, Ministry of Health and NEMO.

Source: NOAA