Belize Lift Nightly Curfew and Mask Mandate

March 1, 2022
by Larry Waight +

Amid hopes that the Omicron wave may have passed its peak, and countries around the world continue to either eliminate or adjust their Covid-19 measures, Belize is also following suit and as of Tuesday, March 1st, have scrapped its nightly curfew and outdoor mask mandate.

The announcement which came by way of SI 32, announced that the nearly two-year curfew has been done away with. Another major change to the regulations was that persons are no longer required to wear a face mask outdoors, whether it be at a private residence, walking out in the public, riding a bicycle, or traveling inside a vehicle with family members.

However, persons are still required to wear their face masks when entering any government building, office, or statutory bodies, banks, supermarkets, on public transportation, or while attending church service. Persons are also still required to abide by the social distancing measures while out in public or any enclosed venues to reduce the potential spread of the virus.

It is a big step for the country but one that was taken following recommendations from Belize’s Covid-19 medical response team who have been closely monitoring the country’s daily positivity rate for months. With the positivity rate now fluctuating between 4 and 6 % and decreasing almost daily, the team recommended that the time had come for the government to ease some of the restrictions so that the public could get used to living with the virus.

”We feel that we are at a stage, at this point in time that we can ease certain restrictions and slowly and gradually lift other restrictions in the other months or so ahead. We feel that omicron is at a stage where it is manageable and we have to return to some level of normalcy after two years, after being locked out and restricted, ” indicated the Minister of Health Kevin Bernard.

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While the Minister acknowledge the need for the changes he said that, with all the government’s effort to get as much of the country’s population vaccinated, they came to the conclusion that it was time that each person takes on their individual responsibility to keep themselves and their families safe. Whether that be by choosing to still wear their mask outdoors, limiting interactions with the public, and any other health measures then that is their choice to make.

Under the new regulations, land borders have now been given the green light to remain open for 24 hours while vaccinated travelers will not be required to test upon entry into the country. Unvaccinated travelers however will be required to test upon arrival at the Phillip Goldson Airport or any of the country’s land borders. Additionally, tourists who will only be visiting the country for 24 hours will not be required to purchase the Belize Travel Insurance package. Belizeans will no longer be required to test upon entry or exit at any of the country’s land borders.

With the sharp decline in cases around the world and what could be another critical turning point in a nearly two-year pandemic, the WHO have been advising countries that have high immunity rates, strong healthcare systems, and those with a favorable epidemiological curve to start lifting and easing some of their restrictions as the days go by. However, there is still uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic or whether it is closer to becoming an endemic.