Belize
Travel restrictions
The international airport is open. Presently, Belize has instituted a temporary travel ban on persons who have traveled to or originated from or have transited the Republic of India and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Effective February 15th 2022, all foreign tourists entering Belize will be required to purchase travel health insurance to help protect travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses, if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.
It is recommended to buy it in advance though it will be possible to buy it upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at land borders.
The cost of the policy is $18 USD and provides coverage for up to 50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days. This insurance plan will come online under the country’s public health regulations and provide cover for lodging expenses due to quarantine up to $2,000 USD (max 300/day USD). Travelers will also be covered for emergency assistance services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions.
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 travelers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.
All travelers 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. All arriving passengers who test positive at the international airport will be placed in mandatory quarantine for a minimum of 14 days at the passengers’ expense. It is therefore recommended that you obtain travel insurance prior to your trip to Belize.
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.
Grocery stores and other stores are currently open with limits on the number of shoppers allowed. Restaurants are currently only available for take-out service. Casinos and churches are open with COVID-19 mitigation measures in effect. Contact sports are prohibited.
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 December 7th 2021 (checked on January 19th 2022)
Belize Tourism Board https://belizetourismboard.org/news-and-gallery/belize-covid-19-travel-updates/
Checked on January 19th 2022
Travel Belize https://www.travelbelize.org/health-safety
Published on January 12th 2021 (checked on January 19th 2022)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx