The Clock Strikes One

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   As doomsday approaches (Oct. 1st, the day of the vaccine mandate), the government has clarified that it will no longer require proof of vaccination to enter all public and private buildings and transportation. Instead the regulation has been rolled back to a certain extent due to economic pressure. Only government-run offices and statutory buildings will require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test: immigration office, transport department, Social Security, police stations, courtrooms, tax offices, land office, and of course government hospitals except in the case of a medical emergency. The rest of public buildings such as supermarkets, restaurants, hardware stores and public transportation such as taxis and buses do not need to ask for proof of vaccination or negative Covid test but they would have the full right if they wished to do so. We will see tomorrow what will be the results and reactions when the dreaded vaccine mandate comes into effect tonight at midnight. Click here for more info.
   The week leading up to Oct. 1st and especially today Sept. 30th saw a general rush by unvaccinated Mennonites and non-Mennonites to renew official documents such as driver's licenses, passports and Social cards. Driver's license for up to 2 years may be obtained which is what many did.
  Three weeks ago when the original vaccine mandate was announced and the Free Belize movement began, there were reports that certain Mennonite colonies had hired both local and international lawyers to repeal the new law. However, as slowly more tourist places, businesses and transportation agencies begin to require proof of vaccination, have the Mennonites won the battle, but ultimately lost the war?









                                        A. Mendoza

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