Coronavirus In Belize: Understanding The Impact And Response

As of March 2020, there were no cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Belize, and the government was taking proactive measures to keep it that way. However, the virus had shown up in neighbouring Mexico, with both patients having travelled to Italy, which had the highest number of outbreaks outside of Asia at the time. The Belizean government was aware of the situation and was taking steps to prevent the spread of misinformation and panic. They also encouraged anyone with flu-like symptoms to monitor their health and seek medical attention if necessary. On 23 March 2020, the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in Belize.

The first case of coronavirus in Belize was a Belizean woman who returned to San Pedro Town from Los Angeles, California

On March 23, 2020, Belize confirmed its first case of COVID-19. The patient was a Belizean woman who had returned to San Pedro Town from Los Angeles, California. This marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belize, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019. WHO confirmed on January 12, 2020, that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness cluster in Wuhan.

The arrival of the first case in Belize prompted swift action from the government. Prime Minister Dean Barrow declared a State of Emergency for San Pedro on March 25, placing the residents of Ambergris Caye under mandatory quarantine. Only essential workers were permitted to traverse the streets, and unauthorised vessels were banned from arriving or departing the island. Schools were closed, public gatherings of more than 25 people were prohibited, and border restrictions were imposed. All flights were grounded, with only cargo allowed to cross borders and dock by sea.

The second case of COVID-19 in Belize was announced on March 25 and was linked directly to the first case. On March 29, the third case was confirmed, involving a traveller returning from New York City to Belize City. By April 13, 2020, Belize had reported 18 initial domestic cases of COVID-19, with two fatalities. The last of these initial cases recovered by May 5.

Belize has taken proactive measures to control the spread of the virus and keep its citizens informed about protective measures. The country has implemented a phased re-opening for international tourism, with the Belize airport reopening for international travel on October 1, 2020. All travellers are required to be tested for COVID-19, and those who test positive must undergo a 14-day quarantine in a designated facility.

The Belizean government is taking proactive measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus

The Belizean government is also working to prevent the spread of false information and fear-mongering rumors. They are keeping a close eye on cases in nearby countries and are prepared to act accordingly. The government has also been diligent in spreading accurate information to Belize citizens about how to protect themselves. For example, they have advised people to avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms and to avoid sharing personal items.

The Belizean government has also implemented border restrictions and mandatory quarantine for certain travellers. All flights were grounded effective March 23, 2020, and only cargo was allowed to cross the borders. Belizeans were still allowed to return to Belize, but residents were not allowed to leave the country unless it was an emergency. Anyone returning to Belize who had travelled to a place with Covid-19 cases was asked to monitor their health and call a hotline if they experienced any symptoms.

The Belizean government has also invested in vaccines, offering four types: Pfizer/Biontech, Johnson & Johnson, Oxford/Astra Zeneca, and Sinopharm. The vaccination campaign started just six weeks after the first vaccine was administered in Central America, and by early June 2021, Belize had administered 18.04 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine per 100 people.

The Queen of Belize addressed the Commonwealth in a televised broadcast, asking people to take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return

On 5 April 2020, the Queen of Belize addressed the nation in a televised broadcast, asking the people to "take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return". The Queen's address came at a time when Belize was facing the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first case in the country confirmed on 23 March 2020. The Queen's message of hope and resilience was an important one for the people of Belize, as they grappled with the impact of the virus on their daily lives and the uncertainty that lay ahead.

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had already been spreading globally for some months, with the World Health Organization (WHO) first reporting a cluster of cases in Wuhan City, China, in December 2019. By the time the virus reached Belize, it had spread to many other countries, including nearby Mexico, which reported its first cases in early March 2020. The Belizean government took proactive measures to prevent the virus from entering the country, and to prepare for its eventual arrival. They promoted strategies to minimise infection, such as covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding close contact with people displaying flu-like symptoms.

Despite these efforts, the virus did reach Belize, with the first case being a Belizean woman who returned to San Pedro Town from Los Angeles, California. A second case was soon confirmed, with the patient having had immediate contact with the first. A state of emergency was declared for San Pedro, and residents of Ambergris Caye were placed under mandatory quarantine, with only essential workers allowed to traverse the streets. The government also implemented border restrictions and banned public gatherings of more than 25 people.

As the number of cases grew, the impact of the virus on the nation became clear. The census was postponed to divert funding to the national emergency, and schools were closed with a tentative resumption date set for April 20, 2020. The Queen's address came at a critical time, as the nation grappled with the growing number of cases and the necessary but disruptive measures put in place to control the spread of the virus. Her message of endurance and hope resonated with the people, reminding them that better days would return and they would be reunited with their friends and families.

The villages of Blue Creek and San Felipe went into a month-long lockdown due to a cluster of cases

The COVID-19 pandemic reached Belize on 23 March 2020, when a Belizean woman who had returned from Los Angeles, California, to San Pedro Town tested positive. By 14 July 2020, there were 39 cases of COVID-19 in Belize, with 16 active cases. The majority of these active cases (9) were in the Orange Walk District, with 7 of these cases being in Blue Creek Village. As a result of this cluster of cases in Blue Creek, the villages of Blue Creek and San Felipe went into a month-long lockdown.

Blue Creek is a riverine system and major archaeological site in North-Western Belize, Central America. It is situated on the Belize-Mexico border and continues south across the Guatemala-Mexico border. The river, also known as the Río Azul or 'Azul River' in Spanish, flows southwest as a tributary of the larger Río Hondo or 'Hondo River'. The river connects the Caribbean Sea to Belize's coastal communities via the Río Hondo. The river is divided into two sections: the eastern Petén and the Belize Coastal Plain. The Petén plateau is a limestone-rich area with uplands that drain into 'Bajos', a term for depressions in wetland ecosystems.

Blue Creek has significant variation in types of land and soil, which provided the Maya people with year-round food production. The ancient Maya civilisation's agricultural and economic growth were facilitated by Blue Creek's unique lowland environment. The site's fertile soil has been praised by modern farmers, who have successfully harvested dry-farming crops. The ancient Maya also used the terracing' technique for sustainable farming, limiting soil erosion and maximising soil moisture.

San Felipe is a village in Belize that went into lockdown alongside Blue Creek due to the cluster of cases in the latter village.

The Belize airport reopened for international travel on 1 October 2020

On 1 October 2020, the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize reopened for inbound leisure travel for international visitors. The airport had been closed since late March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The decision to reopen was made in conjunction with the Prime Minister of Belize, the Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, and marked the launch of Phase 3 of the country's five-phased Travel Reopening Plan.

The reopening of the airport was a major milestone in the country's phased approach to resuming international tourism. Belize introduced a Safe Corridor for visitors, which included hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that had achieved the country's "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition. This nine-point program aimed to enhance the health and safety standards of the tourism industry by implementing new behaviours and procedures. These measures ensured that both employees and travellers were confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize's tourism offerings.

To achieve the "Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program", businesses had to implement several enhanced health and safety protocols. These included social distancing and the use of facemasks in public spaces, providing hand sanitising stations, and conducting daily health checks for guests and employees. Additionally, they had to offer online check-in/out and contactless payment systems, and designate 'isolation/quarantine rooms' for suspected COVID-19 cases.

Approved hotels within the Safe Corridor were able to provide full service to guests, including round-trip transport from the airport, access to restaurants, pools, beachfronts, onsite activities, and isolated tours.

To support the resumption of international travel, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Airlines offered new schedules of year-round, non-stop flights to Belize. From 1 October 2020, non-stop flights from Miami (via American Airlines) and Houston (via United Airlines) were welcomed. Delta Airlines also resumed airlift on 20 November, offering non-stop service from Atlanta.

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