Island social activities and events have been cancelled for the time being and national curfew hours will be extended soon. This was announced this morning during the Reef TV Morning Show by San Pedro Mayor Wally Nuñez and Area Representative Belize Rural South and Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Hon. Andre Perez. Both Mayor and the Minister were special guests of the morning show to discuss the COVID-19 situation in San Pedro Town. All indications point towards Belize moving into a third wave of the pandemic as cases continue to rise.
As of Wednesday, July 21, 2021, there are 41 active cases on Ambergris Caye (2 persons are admitted at the hospital – 1 in critical condition and 1 is stable. Both admitted patients are not vaccinated. In San Pedro, 7400 first doses have been administered, while 3,300 residents have received their second dose. Nationwide there are 349 active cases as of July 20.
Belize has jumped from a Level 1 to a Level 3 Corona Virus Alert (out of 5 levels) and with this current situation, the San Pedro Town Council has decided to cancel all social events and is urging business establishments to do the same. In fact, letters warning establishments who have been reported of overcrowding will be sent out by the Town Council this week. The Mayor stressed that the council will not be allowing large social events to take place for the time being. Already the Council has cancelled scheduled events, local sports camps and organizations like Hope Haven and Lions Club have also cancelled their upcoming events.
During the Morning Show, Hon. Andre Perez urged residents to buckle down for the next two weeks, when the new stricter protocols will be placed into effect; including the curfew extended to one more hour.
“We don’t want the country to be placed into another lockdown,” he stated. “Tourism statistics are looking good for Belize well into 2022. If we do our part to act responsibly, follow the pandemic protocols, stick to the curfew and start reporting establishments breaking these protocols we will be in good shape to get the country back on track.”
All active cases of COVID-19 in the country are non-vaccinated people. Belize’s leading referral hospital, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) has suspended elective surgeries and postponed outpatient clinics as it goes back into emergency mode on Monday due to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Elective surgeries will be put on hold until further notice; there will be NO outpatient clinics during this time, it continues.
In addition, the hospital said, “The visitors’ policy will once again be adjusted to restrict the number of persons in the facility therefore reducing instances of possible COVID-19 transmission to patients, staff and visitors.”
