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Foreign Tourist Entering Belize Now Require Travel Health Insurance
The Belize Tourism Board, the official tourism organization for Belize, has announced that in an effort to further protect the health and wellbeing of international visitors and Belizeans from COVID-19, that it has released new safe travel standards for any persons entering the country. Effective February 15, 2022, all visitors are required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance – a mandatory insurance that helps protect travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.
Coast Guard Retrieves Thirty Kilos of Suspected Marijuana
A Belize Coast Guard routine patrol this morning, January 13, 2022, at about 8:30am, yielded 36 packs of suspected marijuana that was encountered about 100 feet east of the dock at Half-moon Caye. According to the Belize Coast Guard, their patrol at Lighthouse Reef came across an object in the water and upon closer inspection realized that they were packs of suspected drugs. The patrol called it in and headquarters arranged for their stand by patrol to head out to bring it in. Thirty six packs were weighed to an amount of 30.95 Kilograms, at an estimated value of $81,705 BZD.
U.S. Government Donates 12 Ventilators to Belize in Continuing Pandemic Support
On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, the U.S. Government donated 12 ventilators to the Ministry of Health and Wellness to support Belize in its ongoing fight against COVID-19. The donation was facilitated by the U.S. Embassy Security Cooperation Office and funded by the U.S. Department of Defense Southern Command through its Humanitarian Assistance Program. Valued at US $200,000, the Hamilton-brand ventilators are modern and compact, and provide Belize with life-saving medical equipment at a time when COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing across the country.
Belize Sees Busiest Cruise Ship Day Since the Restart of Cruise
The Belize Tourism Board says that it is excited to share that today, Thursday, December 30, 2021, the country received six cruise ships to our shores, marking it the busiest cruise day on our 2021 schedule of calls. Four Ships, including the Celebrity Apex, Carnival Pride, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Breeze, called to the Belize City FSTV port. Two ships, the Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Breakaway, called to Harvest Caye in southern Belize. In total, these ships brought to our shores over 14,000 passengers.
Pattern of COVID-19 Cases Changes in Belize, Omicron Variant Expected
Belize's Ministry of Health & Wellness informs the public that the pattern of the COVID-19 cases has changed. Currently, the majority of cases present upper airway symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat associated with a mild fever and/or muscle aches and pains. The cases are increasing exponentially with a leap in the positivity rate from 2.5 to 16 in a very short period of time. While genomic sequencing is pending, epidemiologically, it appears to be the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Belizean Singer Yas Thalia Releases New Single “Tropix”
“Hey my name is YasThalia and I'm a Belizean singer/songwriter. My song Tropix is a song that highlights the beauty of our country Belize.” Yas Thalia recently released the official music video for her hit single ‘Tropix’ which is all about praising Belize - “Vamos a La Isla Bonita, fly out to Griga, maybe Placencia,” says her lyrics. The video features various tropical scenes around the country including San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; and the song is being very well received.
Island Christmas Toy Drive Giveaway a Success
The Christmas Toy Drive Giveaway hosted by Jaz Azueta from The Real Estate Belize, Vanessa Parham from NEMO and Triple R and Ethan Neal from Customs and Excise Department was a success. A total of 300 gifts were handed out to much deserve children in the areas of San Mateo, San Juan, San Pedrito and DFC Area.
Stray Dogs Receive Love from SP Share and Care
A new stray dog feeding campaign has been started on Ambergris Caye by a non-profit charity organization SP. Share and Care. On their first outing, over the weekend, the group of kind-hearted islanders met in the San Mateo and DFC areas where they fed stray dog. The orgainzation had asked residents for donations of dog food or monetary contributions to help them in their first goal. The group's first event was a success, giving some extra love and affection to helpless animals. Share and Care was created to feed the stray dogs of San Pedro Ambergris Caye!
Belize Champs at Pok ta Pok World Championship Held in Yucatan
The Belize Maya ballgame team Ek’ Balam Poktapok will return to the country as champions once again, after being victorious at the Pok Ta Pok World Championship games held in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico last week. This is the team’s third championship, previously winning the Maya ballgame championship in 2017 and 2019.
Belize Announces Health Pass Vaccination App and Increase Surveillance of New Variant
As the Ministry of Health and Wellness indicates that it is increasing surveillance following the announcement of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron discovered in South Africa, it has also informed the public of the launch of its Health Pass Vaccination App, accessible to all by downloading the app from the Apple or Android store. The app provides users with an electronic copy of their vaccination card.
Incident Involving Alleged Teacher Misconduct During Online Class
- Press Release, San Pedro High School, December 1, 2021 - The Board of Management and Administration of San Pedro High School is aware of an incident of alleged teacher misconduct during her online class. As an educational institution, we do not support any form of student abuse by any member of our faculty, staff, or vice versa. The well-being of our students is of paramount importance. The alleged matter will be fully investigated in accordance with the Education Rules by ensuring that due process is applied. - End of Release -
National Geographic Names Belize as One of Best Places to Enjoy Nature 2022
The world-renowned publication National Geographic has listed Belize among the top destinations for travelers to visit in the upcoming year. The publication just posted “25 Amazing Journeys for 2022” featuring the top picks for destinations from the publication’s global editors.
Awards Ceremony Held for San Pedro Township Day
In observation of the 37th Township Day (November 27) for San Pedro, the San Pedro Town Council hosted an Award Ceremony to highlight individuals from the various sectors of our community whose, together over the recent years, contributions have impacted our island. These were the following awards for 202; Congratulations to all the honorees:
Selena and PACasso Murals by Donkeemom and Donkeeboy
Mother and son power duo artists from Houston, Texas visited San Pedro, Ambergris Caye this past week, leaving something behind they hope will brighten up islander’s spirits and bring a little character to the island community. They completed a mural on the face of a warehouse where they depicted a couple of their most inspirational portraits.
Belize Just Won Miss Earth 2021
Social media in Belize blew up last night after the announcement that Miss Belize Earth, Destiny Wagner, had just won the title of Miss Earth 2021. The crown made Destiny the first Belizean to hold an international title for the country. Needless to say, Belizeans are ecstatic about the announcement and proud of Destiny for her great achievement.
How did Ambergris Caye Manage Without Triple R Emergency Services?
It was unfortunate that the birth of Triple R (Rickilee Response & Rescue) came about due to the death of a tourist vacationing on Ambergris Caye. It has now been three and half years since the tragic accident, but the island has been blessed with the invaluable emergency services of Triple R.
Tropic Air Commences San Ignacio Flights
Tropic Air commenced service to San Ignacio, Cayo on Monday, Novermber 15, 2021. Flights will initially be on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and are timed to connect easily with most international arrivals and departures at the Belize International Airport as well as Tropic Air flights to Cancun, Roatan, Placencia, Dangriga and Punta Gorda.
Celebrity Spotting: Youtube Influencer Visiting Belize
A celebrity nowadays is not necessarily classified by his Hollywood status, music career or athletic prowess. With the advent of social media, almost anybody can become a celebrity with interesting and engaging content. Celebrity YouTuber/Blogger known as Luisito Comunica is in Belize showcasing the our jewel to his millions of followers. Luisito is one of the most influential and famous YouTuber in Latin America with over 37 million followers on You Tube, 20 Million on Facebook and 29 Million on Instagram having travelled to over 100 countries.
The United States Donates an Additional 117,000 Pfizer Vaccines to Belize
Belmopan – U.S. Embassy Belmopan is pleased to announce the arrival of 117,000 Pfizer vaccines in Belize. This U.S. government contribution to Belize’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is in addition to the 111,150 vaccine doses donated in August. The United States is committed to sharing vaccines globally, saving lives, and putting an end to the pandemic.
WestJet and Southwest Resume Flights to Belize in November
Belize City, Belize, November 3, 2021: The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) was pleased to announce the resumption of seasonal flights from Canada and daily flights from the United States to Belize this month. On November 3, WestJet resumed flights to Belize from Toronto, Canada.