News | Covid Regulations

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The Belizean side of the western border crossing at Benque Viejo, Cayo District. Across the river is the Guatemalan town of Melchor.


   With Covid cases and deaths on a downward trend, curfews have been rolled back, just in time for the holiday season. A vaccine mandate that was supposed to come into effect on the 15th of December was also pushed back. Merry Christmas from the government.
  Even though the Covid situation is improving, the Mennonites of Spanish Lookout have been having a rather frustrating time of it. In November, the minister in charge of the police department announced the formation of a team of cops whose sole purpose would be to focus on communities where mask-wearing is not being followed. He specifically named Spanish Lookout. No kidding, the last three weeks have seen an increased presence of government police in Spanish Lookout, issuing ticket fines to mask violators. Not much of a Merry Christmas there.
  Nearly two years ago, the official points of terrestrial border crossing were closed to the general public. Only on medical emergencies were locals allowed to leave the country. Besides that only commercial transport trucks could enter or leave. Earlier this year the land borders were opened for incoming tourists with Covid testing required upon entry. But now, finally, land borders are officially opening to the general public. One government minister commented that perhaps only fully vaccinated Belizeans and foreigners will be allowed to enter and leave. While the final details are not quite clear, shopkeepers in the Guatemalan border town of Melchor and in the Mexican border city of Chetumal are gearing up for the flood of Belizeans that will be arriving at their doors. According to one media source, around 30,000 Belizeans would cross the border into Chetumal every month during a normal year.
  The date for opening the land borders is set for the 1st of January, 2022.
  Happy New Year, courtesy of the government.













                                        A. Mendoza

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