Positive In Paradise: Navigating Covid-19 Protocols In Belize

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Belize, you will be required to isolate at your resort for up to ten days. The Belize Ministry of Health will administer a PCR test to verify the positive result, and if this comes back positive, you will need to isolate for ten days or until you test negative. On day five, you will take another rapid test, and if this is negative, you will be allowed to board an international flight home. If you test positive again, you will need to continue isolating and retest on day ten. All COVID-19 tests, isolation accommodations, and incidentals are at the traveller's expense.

Quarantine at a hotel or resort

If you test positive for COVID-19 while staying at a hotel or resort in Belize, you will be required to isolate at the resort for up to ten days. The Belize Ministry of Health mandates that you take a PCR test following a positive rapid test to confirm the positive result. If the PCR test is positive, you must isolate for ten days or until you receive a negative test result. On day five, you will take another rapid test. If this test comes back negative, you will be permitted to board an international flight back to your home country. However, if the test is still positive, you will need to continue isolating and retest on day ten.

It is important to note that the cost of COVID-19 tests, isolation accommodations, and incidentals are the responsibility of the traveller. While travel insurance that covers COVID-19 testing may help with reimbursement, you will still need to pay for the tests upfront, in cash, or charge them to your room.

During your quarantine, you will not be allowed to leave your room or wander around the resort. The hotel or resort will provide shopping services for food, groceries, and medications, which will be charged to your room account. Most resorts will also offer room service, and you may be able to order food from other restaurants in town for delivery to the hotel.

While quarantining, you will not be permitted to use the resort's facilities. However, depending on the number of guests, the resort may be able to designate a section of the pool or beach for your exclusive use. The resort staff will escort you to the designated area to ensure your safety and maintain distance from other guests and staff.

If you develop more severe symptoms during your quarantine, the resort will contact a clinic, and a doctor will come to you. It is important to note that you cannot leave the resort on your own to seek medical treatment.

Pay for tests, isolation and incidentals

If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Belize, you will need to isolate at your resort for up to ten days. The Belize Ministry of Health requires that you take a PCR test to verify the positive result of a rapid test. If the PCR test is positive, you will need to isolate for ten days or until you receive a negative test result. On day five, you will take another rapid test. If this test is negative, you will be allowed to board an international flight back to your home country. If the test is positive, you will need to continue isolating and retest on day ten.

All COVID-19 tests, isolation accommodations, and incidentals are at the traveller's expense. You will need to pay for testing on a cash basis, which can be paid directly to the lab or charged to your room. You will need to keep the receipt for reimbursement through your travel insurance.

If you are staying at the Victoria House Resort and Spa and cannot leave the country as scheduled, the resort offers a 50% discount on most lodging. The resort will do all the shopping for you, such as food, groceries, and medications, and will charge the expenses to your room account. It is against the "quarantine mandate" to leave your room or wander around the resort. Victoria House room service is available until 9 pm daily, and you can also order from other restaurants in town.

As of July 15, 2022, the Government of Belize has removed all public health measures at the points of entry in Belize (land and sea). However, it is recommended that you check for the latest requirements before travelling to Belize.

Follow the Belize Ministry of Health Guidelines

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Belize, the Belize Ministry of Health requires that you isolate at your resort for up to ten days. After a positive rapid test, you will be given a PCR test to confirm the result. If the PCR test is positive, you will need to isolate for ten days or until you receive a negative test result. On day five, you will take another rapid test. If this test is negative, you will be allowed to board an international flight back to your home country. If the test on day five is positive, you will need to continue isolating and retest on day ten.

All COVID-19 tests, isolation accommodations, and incidentals are at the traveller's expense. You will need to pay for testing on a cash basis, and you can submit the receipt to your travel insurance company for reimbursement.

During your quarantine, you will not be allowed to leave your room or wander around the resort. The resort will provide you with food, groceries, and medications, which will be charged to your room account. You can also order room service or from other restaurants in town.

If you develop more severe symptoms, a doctor will come to you. Medical assistance will not come to your room unless it is absolutely necessary.

Book a medical evacuation flight home

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Belize, the Belize Ministry of Health requires that you isolate at your resort for up to ten days. You will need to take a PCR test to verify the positive result of your rapid test. If this comes back positive, you will need to isolate for ten days or until you receive a negative test result. On day five, you will take another rapid test. If this is negative, you will be allowed to board an international flight home. If it is positive, you will need to continue isolating and retest on day ten.

If you develop more severe symptoms, a doctor will be sent to you to discuss what to do next. You cannot leave to visit a clinic, and medical assistance will come to you.

If you need to be medically evacuated, this can be very expensive. Ensure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation.

Purchase travel insurance

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Belize, you will be required to isolate at your resort for up to ten days. You will need to cover the costs of COVID-19 tests, isolation accommodations, and incidentals yourself. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance before your trip.

As of February 15, 2022, the Government of Belize has required all travelers to the country to purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance. This mandatory insurance covers travelers in the event that they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize. The cost is $18 USD per person, and the coverage is valid for up to 21 days. The insurance covers up to $50,000 in COVID-19-related medical expenses and up to $2,000 for lodging expenses if you need to quarantine. It also covers emergencies related to other medical conditions, medical evacuation by air, and costs related to trip interruptions.

Travel insurance policies for Belize can be purchased before your trip, at the airport upon arrival, or at land border crossings.

It is important to note that the COVID-19 policies and procedures in Belize are subject to change, so it is recommended to stay updated with the latest information from official sources.

Frequently asked questions