Cabinet has supported recommendations resulting from a National Oversight Committee meeting held on Monday, June 8th, which will now see a further relaxation of the lockdown restrictions put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Though there has been no sign of community transmission of COVID-19 for over 50 days, the Government continues to take a phased and balanced approach to reopening. The new relaxation measures will allow more people to return to work and more businesses to open.
The number of persons allowed for social gatherings will increase from 40 to 100. Private parties, weddings, funerals, receptions, meetings of fraternal societies, social clubs or civic associations or organizations can be held following social distancing protocols.
Curfew hours have been shortened to 10:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. Sundays to Thursdays and midnight to 4:59 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Prohibitions on the use of parks and playgrounds will be lifted and recreational contact sports such as volleyball, basketball, and football will be allowed. Gymnasiums and spas will be allowed to open.
The new statutory instrument reflecting these new measures are expected to come into force effective Friday, June 12, 2020. The Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General, will provide more detailed information on the amendments on the “Ask the Experts” webcast at 1:00 p.m. on June 11th.
The state of emergency will expire on June 30, 2020 and is not expected to be extended. Remember to stay updated on official information concerning COVID-19. Visit the Government of Belize Press Office website at
www.pressoffice.bz; or the Facebook pages for the Ministry of Health, the Director of Health Services, and the
Government of Belize Press Office; or call the Ministry of Health’s hotline at 0-800-MOH-CARE.