Belize opens soon, what you need to know

7 July 20

Belize Open Soon

We hope you and your close ones are staying safe and well during these extremely turbulent times. Belize recently announced that the airport will reopen to travellers on August 15th.  This is a careful and phased reopening of international travel to Belize and as such, there will also be enhanced health and safety protocols at the airport, hotels, restaurants and all public spaces.

At over 100 days since Belize announced its first case of COVID-19, there has been less than 40 cases country wide, the majority being repatriating Belizeans with almost no community transmission. In order for travellers to enjoy vacationing at minimal risk and at the same time as protecting our local communities, the Government of Belize has implemented health and safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitisation, protective hygiene and the wearing of face masks in public spaces.

Below is an overview of the new procedures and protocols for travel to Belize:

Visitor Process at Belize International Airport

Pre-Travel Arrangements 

  1. All passengers travelling to Belize will be required 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 the passenger and will be used for contact tracing while in Belize.
  2. Passengers are encouraged to take a Covid PCR test within 72 hours of travel to Belize.

Entry Requirements 

  1. Passengers that provide certification of a negative test result from a Covid-19 PCR test done within 72 hours of travel, will be allowed immediate entry into Belize via a ‘fast track’ lane.
  2. Passengers that do not provide a negative Covid-19 test, must test upon arrival in Belize, at the passenger’s expense, around $50.  A negative test result will allow entry into Belize.
  3. Passengers who test positive for Covid-19 at the Belize International Airport will be placed in mandatory quarantine for a minimum period of fourteen (14) days at the passenger’s expense and will only be released when returning 2 negative PCR tests.

All visitors to Belize will be required to:

  • Wear a mask during the entire landing, deplaning and arrival process, and while inside the airport.
  • Undergo temperature checks using non-contact digital infrared thermometers or Thermal Imaging Cameras.
  • Adhere to social distancing guidelines in all queues for health checks, immigration and customs inspections.
  • Follow and respond to the comprehensive, pro-active, contact tracing guidelines to facilitate appropriate and rapid response from health officials, should Covid-19 symptoms develop.
  • Utilise the sanitising stations to sanitise hands frequently and facilitate other health screening requirements on arrival.

Update on Hotel Openings 

Opening of hotels will be in a phased approach, and the first grouping of hotels that will be allowed to open include properties that:

  1. Have achieved the Tourism “Gold Standard Certification of Recognition” which ensures hotels are rigorously following the 9 Step recognition program with enhanced protocols with regards to cleaning, sanitising, management of inventory, distancing of staff,  regular monitoring and reporting.
  2. Provide full service to guests.  This means that these hotels are able to provide all amenities, so as to contain the guest on the property, and minimise opportunities for guest interaction within the local community. These amenities include having transportation to offer pick-up/drop-off services from the airport; access to a restaurant on property; have a pool or access to beach front; and be able to provide isolated tours, limited to guests of the property only.

 

The Coronavirus situation continues to evolve quickly and we are closely monitoring global developments and following the advice of public health authorities, medical experts and officials in our destination and will keep you informed of any changes.

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