The BTB and Ministry of Health Launch Joint Vaccination Awareness Campaign – The Belize Tourism Board (BTB,) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), launched a national vaccination awareness campaign with the aim to educate and motivate Belizeans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The campaign runs until August 31, 2021 and aims to promote the key messages that the vaccine is safe, effective, free of cost and that the process of being vaccinated is very easy. To accomplish this, the campaign will be comprised of interviews with key persons on the importance of vaccinations, down-to-earth videos encouraging Belizeans to get vaccinated, media rounds, WhatsApp messages, Social Media marketing, as well as group vaccinations at various locations including San Pedro, Punta Gorda, Hopkins, Placencia and San Ignacio.
As an incentive, all persons that get vaccinated between June 10 and August 31 will have a chance to win $2,500 and a fantastic staycation under the BTB’s #FRONTLINEHEROBZ and the #BelizeVaccineChamp categories. Under the first category there will be two raffles – one winner will be a frontline worker in the tourism sector and the second winner will be a frontline Covid worker, such as a health care worker, police or BDF who gets their first vaccine dose during the raffle period. The prize for this category includes $2,500 in cash, flight for two to San Pedro on Tropic Air, 2 nights stay at Grand Caribe for two, breakfast for two days and a memorable Sunset cruise.
Under the second category, any other person who gets their first dose during the raffle period will qualify to enter the raffle and a chance to win $2,500 in cash, flight for two to Placencia on Tropic Air, 2 nights stay at Naia Resort & Spa for two, breakfast for two days, beachfront dinner and a couple’s massage.
For further details on how to enter the raffle click here.
In Belize approximately 83,507 persons have received the first dose of the vaccine, representing approximately 34% of the targeted population. However, in order for Belizeans to return to a sense of normalcy, more persons need to be vaccinated. In addition, international travelers are looking for destinations where they feel safe and secure. A fully vaccinated population will help showcase Belize as a safe and secure destination, which in turn will result in increased number of visitors. This will serve as a catalyst for the rebuilding of our tourism sector and ultimately our economy.
Curfew Extended Among Changes to COVID Regulations
* As of Sunday, July 4, the country-wide curfew was extended to Sunday to Wednesday 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Thursday to Saturday 11 PM to 5 a.m. The curfew has been kept steady so as to curb instances of parties on land and increasingly sea and at restaurants.
* Church services have been reduced once again to one hour with a 50% capacity for parishioners. The statutory instrument will specify every other pew be cordoned off.
*Restaurants may seat up to 75% capacity in outdoors and 50% indoors. In the case of the latter, the restaurant must be naturally ventilated – no air conditioning. Justices of the Peace will be called on again to check restaurants and other establishments and liaise with police on any violations.
*Business process outsourcing establishments will be curtailed to 50% capacity to enforce social distancing and encourage employees to work from home where necessary.
A new addition to the legislation will be encouraging frontline workers to be vaccinated during July. Those who do to wish to get vaccinates will need to present a negative COVID-19 test every two weeks, beginning August 2021. Doctors, police, teachers, casino and restaurant workers, pastors and priests and other frontliner personnel are affected by this change.
