Belize
Travel restrictions
The international airport is open. Presently, Belize has instituted a temporary travel ban on persons who have travelled to or originated from or have transited the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Visitors to Belize have to download the Belize Health App and complete the required information prior to boarding the flight to Belize. A QR code with a unique ID number will be returned to you, and will be used for contact tracing while in Belize.
Effective August 9th 2021 all travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.
All travellers entering Belize at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) will be required to present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative result from any approved Antigen Rapid Test taken within 48 hours of travel. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of USD $50 per passenger.
Visitors are not required to quarantine if they present negative test results. However, if they present positive test results, they must quarantine for a minimum of 14-days at their own expense.
Land borders and seaports remain closed.
Measures taken by the government
Belize established an isolation unit for Belizeans who test positive for COVID-19 and has self-isolation quarantine measures for potential cases.
A series of new enhanced health and safety protocols have been put in place to protect visitors, Belizeans, and our communities. These include:
- Mandatory use of facemasks in public spaces
- Enforcement of social distancing measures in public spaces such as restaurants, bars, grocery stores, retail stores, etc.
- Introduction of a “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition Program for hotels, restaurants and tour operators. This 9-point program seeks to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards by adapting new behaviours and procedures to ensure both employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product.
Tourists visiting Belize can move about freely, however it is recommended that they remain within the Tourism Safe Corridor. The Safe Corridor includes Gold Standard certified accommodations, tour operators, tourism transportation providers, restaurants, tourism sites and attractions, and gift shops. These Gold Standard and certified entities have all been trained and have implemented enhanced health and safety measures.
Belize is currently experiencing low COVID-19 infection rates and a curfew is currently in effect daily from 7:00 pm to 4:00 am. Persons are not permitted to be in any public space during this time and risk a fine if found in contravention of the regulation.
Sunday September 26th and Sunday October 3rd 2021 are no movement days except for medical emergencies or the purchase of food, fuel, or medication. Tourists visiting Belize can normally move about freely, however it is recommended that they remain within the Tourism Safe Corridor.
Grocery stores and other stores are currently open with limits on the number of shoppers allowed. Restaurants are currently open for indoor dining at 50% capacity with reservations, social distancing, and mask requirements, as well as open-air and outdoor dining at 75% capacity, takeout and delivery services are available. Churches, social events, and private parties that would include guests outside of the immediate family who are living together are limited to no more than 50% of building capacity.
Testing
PCR and/or antigen tests are available for foreigners in Belize and test results are reliably available within 72 hours.
The following are vetted private labs currently offering same-day results for a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test that can be used for travel purposes:
Belize District: Central Health Region, Cleopatra White Polyclinic, Otto Rodriquez Polyclinic (San Pedro) & Caye Caulker Health Center.
Corozal District: Corozal Community Hospital
Orange Walk District: Northern Regional Hospital
Cayo District: Western Regional Hospital & San Ignacio Hospital
Stann Creek District: Southern Regional Hospital & Independence Polyclinic
Toledo District: Punta Gorda Hospital
Approved Private Covid-19 Testing Facilities:
Belize City: D’s Clinic, Belize Medical Associates, Belize Healthcare Partners, Belize Diagnostic Center & Caring Hands at Home Medical Services
Belmopan: Luke’s Medical Center & Belmopan Medical Center
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
Information not available.
Source:
US Embassy in Belize https://bz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/
Published on September 16th 2021 (checked on September 22nd 2021)
Belize Tourism Board https://belizetourismboard.org/news-and-gallery/belize-covid-19-travel-updates/
Published on August 5th 2021 (checked on September 22nd 2021)
Travel Belize https://www.travelbelize.org/health-safety
Checked on September 22nd 2021
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx