Belize: Authorities maintain lockdown in three areas of Toledo District through at least July 16 /update 24

Event

Authorities in Belize maintain lockdowns in the villages of Conejo, Midway, and Barranco in Toledo District until at least July 16 due to spikes in COVID-19 infection rates. During the lockdown, entry and exit from these areas are prohibited, and a daily curfew is in place from 20:00-04:59.

Elsewhere in Belize, curfew hours run 22:00-04:00 from Sunday to Wednesday and 23:00-04:00 Thursday through Saturday. Minors must remain home between the hours of 18:00-05:00 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Members of the security forces and immigration and customs workers, healthcare workers, and those with authorization from the national government are exempt from the curfew.

Businesses and facilities, including restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, churches, casinos, gaming establishments, and personal grooming services, can operate at 50-percent capacity, provided they enforce social distancing. All bars, rum shops, discotheques, and nightclubs remain closed. Nonessential businesses must allow employees to work from home whenever possible.

All persons over the age of five must wear protective facemasks at all times, except while in private residences or when exercising or engaging in any sports activity, driving alone or only with immediate family members, riding motorcycles or bicycles, or seated at restaurants. Gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited; all persons must adhere to social distancing directives. Outdoor exercise is permitted, provided social distancing measures are maintained; however, contact sports are allowed for training purposes only.

International Entry Restrictions
All travelers to Belize must be able to present proof of having received two full doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least two weeks before arrival or a negative test; PCR tests must have been administered no more than 96 hours before arrival, all other tests must have been administered no more than 48 hours before arrival. All arrivals must have proof of having booked accommodations for at least three nights at a Gold Standard certified lodging establishment. Non-commercial maritime transport is permitted at the ports of Belize City, Punta Gorda, and Placencia.

The Western Border (Benque Viejo del Carmen) and Northern Border (Santa Elena) land border crossing points are open to foreign tourists only. Land borders are open for tourists Mondays to Fridays between 08:00-16:00, and Saturdays and Sundays between 08:00-12:00. Pre-departure COVID-19 tests will not be accepted for travelers arriving via this route; arrivals must fully be vaccinated or be tested on arrival at their own expense. Arrivals via air may be selected for a further test on arrival. All arrivals testing positive will be placed in a government quarantine facility at their own expense for at least 14 days.

Individuals who have recently been in India or Bangladesh are banned from entering Belize by any form of transport until further notice.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Highly targeted, localized measures could be enforced in villages and towns with higher disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government COVID-19 Updates
Belize Tourism Board