Earlier on, we showed you the crowds at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union not keeping proper social distance in their line.   Aren't that isn't the only thing that the authorities are concerned about in the violation of the social distancing best practices.

Police are now actively trying to discourage the gathering of crowds bigger than 25 people at business places and any public spaces. They told us today that what they are doing to ensure that Belizeans comply with social distancing rules:

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"The Department has issued several warnings to the public. The first 1 is that they do not want large gatherings, and that is one thing that the police are implementing. The police out there patrolling the streets have discouraged people who are in huge groups to disperse. They've visited the terminal areas, monitoring the buses, with the capacity of the passengers on the bus, and also at the different stores and banking institutions, where they have lines of people who are waiting to receive a service. Police are out there trying to ensure the safety of everybody, and also of their own safety."

Reporter
"Is there any issuance of protective gear for the officers?"

Supt. Alejandro Cowo
"Well, I know that at this moment, police have been issued with face masks. They have gloves. They have sanitizers to help themselves for the beginning."

Reporter
"That limit of 25 persons or less, how does the police department handle that situation where you have commuters on buses which obviously have a capacity way over that 25, and they need to reach whatever destinations they need to get to?"

Supt. Alejandro Cowo
"It's a challenging situation, and the police are out there enforcing the law. I know that this morning, there were several buses that had excess passengers, and the passengers were put out of the bus, and the bus driver was issued with a ticket."

Police are also currently enforcing transport laws against overcrowded buses. So, standees are warned that you will be removed from a bus if you are detected as an excess passenger at a police checkpoint.

American Tourist Tested Positive After Leaving Belize

Tonight, we have all settled into the very unsettling reality that Belize has now confirmed its first case of COVID-19.  But we all knew it was coming, and on Saturday night - a first warning came across.  

That was when the Ministry of Health confirmed that an American national - reportedly a young male - who left Belize on the 17th of March tested positive for COVID-19 in New York. He had visited two hotels in Belize City and one in San Pedro.  

The Ministry immediately started to trace all persons that were in close contact with the him - including the maids that cleaned his rooms, the tour guides, the bartenders and the driver.  All of those found so far were without any symptoms. but all have nevertheless been placed in isolation for 14 days.  

Manzanero discussed it today:

Dr. Marvin Manzanero - Director of Health Services
"We just know that we got a call to a specific hotel in Belize City, we got a call to a specific hotel in San Pedro but with no particular details. Notwithstanding that, we did launch an investigation because it is a rumour until we get official confirmation from the focal point. We did our exercise on Saturday, very early Sunday morning; staffs were already in Belize City. Some of the key contacts that we assume because like I said, it is a rumour, we're swabbed yesterday and those samples will be ran today. We have 11 swabs done yesterday; the only one that came back positive is the one that we are confirming today."

Only ICU Cases Will Go To KHMH

KHMH In Emergency Mode

The KHMH has entered emergency mode. A press release this afternoon laid out adjustments that the nation's only tertiary hospital is making in preparation for COVID-19 response. 

These adjustments are being made across the board affecting the hospital's visitor's policy, elective services, and even its clinic schedule. 

But it's the Visitors policy has taken the hardest hit in terms of restrictions. One salient adjustment is the immediate barring of visitor's with respiratory illnesses. But visitors are now dramatically limited by number and only allowed for patients who are minors or require continuous assistance. That visitor will be given a pass which he or she will be able to hand off to other family members. And it will become that person's responsibility to update others on the patients condition. It seems exceptions will be considered for critical patients.

Finally, there will be no visitors allowed in the COVID-19 Isolation area. Â 

The Logic Of Border Closures

The Government also released a statement yesterday reminding the general public about the decision to close the country's borders.

They are strongly advising Belizeans not to leave the country unless it is an emergency for which outside travel cannot be avoided. 

The western border is closed. Belizeans, diplomats residing in Belize and foreigners with legal residency in Belize will be allowed to enter. That entry may come the 14-day period of quarantine to prevent the possible transmission of COVID-19. Guatemalan nationals are allowed to depart from Belize to return to their home country.

Of important note is that on Saturday, a group of residents from Melchor De Mencos staged a protest to block the Western border on the Guatemalan side. They were attempting to make the statement that they do not want persons to be crossing over while there is the risk of COVID-19.

The northern and southern borders are also closed and only Belizeans, diplomats residing in Belize and foreigners with legal residency will be allowed to enter. Again, all persons being allowed to entire may be placed on a 14-day quarantine.

The Philip Goldson International Airport is closed and Belizeans are not allowed to leave the country. After the last scheduled flights departed today, the airport was closed for entry. It will remain that way until further notice.

The government has not placed any restrictions on incoming and outgoing freight and cargo at any of the ports of entry, including seaports. 

Why Proposed Caye Caulker Curfew Was Illegal

Viewers will have noticed that the Prime Minister and the Government are asking residents San Pedro not to travel to the mainline at this time. This is to hopefully prevent an active spread of coronavirus from the part of the country that the first case of COVID-10.

This weekend, the Caye Caulker Village Council was attempting to implement measures to keep the island safe. One of those planned measures was a travel ban for non-residents. The government has since clarified that the Village Council does not the jurisdiction to institute that kind of travel restriction.

In a press release, dated Saturday, March 21st, 2020, The Council notified residents of their intended plan of action.

In that advisory, the Council said that all public and special license holders needed to end all functions completely. All shops and convenience stores needed to close promptly at 9. Restaurants were being encouraged provide take-out, and that they needed to limit gatherings at their business places to 25 persons or less.

These, among other social distancing measures, were being highlighted in the Council's press release.

In their statement the Caye Caulker Village Council also said, quote, "A curfew at 10:00 p.m. will be implemented and only essential workers will be allowed to traverse the streets. Additionally, effective Monday, March 23rd, 2020, only residents of Caye Caulker Island will be allowed to travel to Caye Caulker." End quote.

Yesterday, the Government sent out a press release of its own to note that no municipal body has this kind of authority.

They press release says, quote, " It has come to the attention of the Attorney General's Ministry that there is a public notice circulating which states that Belizeans will not be allowed entry to the island of Caye Caulker and Sarteneja Village in the Corozal District. The public is advised that only the Government of Belize can restrict the movement of Belizeans within Belize. Unless such restriction is enacted by the Government, municipal bodies should refrain from doing so. Any entity found guilty of doing such will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. Also, note that it is not within the purview of any municipality to institute a mandatory curfew. This can only be done by the Government of Belize." End quote.