Statutory Instrument 151 of 2021

Regulations Gazetted 6th December, 2021
Part I Preliminary

1. Citation

2. Interpretation, definitions of: Act, airport, approved hotel or tourist accomodation, BPO, COVID-19, Belize Tourism Board, Designated Officer, Enforcement Unit, essential business, essential service, essential worker, foreign home owner, foreign tourist.

Reg 2 continues with definitions of frontline workers (ends on next page).

Reg 2 continues with definitions of Hotel or tourist accommodation, immunized, immunization, minor, open air restaurant, outdoor restaurant, al fresco dining restaurant, permanent resident, proof of immunization, proprietor, PCR test.

Reg 2 continues with definitions of public transportation, public utility, Qualified Retired Person, Quarantine Authority, rapid test, social distancing.

3. Application.
Part II Protocols

4. Curfew
Sun-Thu, 11pm until 4am of the next morning, Fri-Sat, 12am until 4am.

Reg 4 continues with curfew info for minors, who is exempt, and violations.

5. Wearing of face masks. Face masks are required except for those under 6. But neck gaiters and similar masks are prohibited.

Reg 5, continued. Face masks are not required at a private residence, exercising, swimming, or driving alone or with members of the same household in a motor vehicle.

Those in charge of a business, office, or establishment are responsible to insure the wearing of masks.

6. Social distancing, etc. Not doing so is a violation.

7. Entry into government offices, etc. This requires proof of immunization, with certain exceptions.

More clarifications and exceptions to entry into government offices, etc.

More details about entry into government offices, etc.

8. Approved testing institutions and testing kits. Schedule III. This begins a list of approved test kits.

9. Restriction of gatherings for social purposes. Restrictions on more than 10 persons gathering who are not in the same household.

10. Exemption on the restriction of gatherings for social purposes. The Minister may exempt certain gatherings, and each exemption will be published in the Gazette.

11. Restriction on social activities. Restrictions on gatherings, recreational or competitive sporting events, wedding for more than 10 persons, banquets, balls, receptions, any social event, funeral (with exceptions), fraternal societies, clubs, other associations or organizations.

12. Social distancing protocols and other requirements for businesses and offices. Six feet social distancing, face masks, 50% capacity.

More under requirements. Department stores, hardware stores, dry goods stores, shops and markets greater than 2,000 feet require a Peace Officer.

BPO requirements.

Internal auditor for COVID-19, spot checks for requirements under Regulation 12.

13. Redeployment of frontline workers. If not immunized.

14. Tour operators and tour guides to present immunization card. Before entry into any tourist site.

15. Exercising and sports. Walking, running, cycling allowed subject to conditions. Non-contact sports, and contact sports if immunized.

16. Closure of bars, rum shops, etc.

17. Casinos and other gaming establishments. Only for immunized. Physical distancing, 50% capacity, face masks.

More details on casinos, etc.

More details on Peace Officers in casinos, etc.

18. Restrictions on gymnasiums. Ventilated, appointment only, 50% capacity, social distancing.

Owner/operator must ensure compliance, keep a log, etc.

19. Churches and other places of worship. Services no more than one hour. No more than 50% capacity. Face masks except for person conducting the service.

More on churches, etc.

20. Restriction on spas, beauty salons and barber shops. Appointment only. Maximum of one customer and one waiting (if social distancing can work).

21. Restriction on restaurants, saloons, diners, etc. and street food vendors. Distance markers, dining-in only by reservation, 50%. Open air, 75%.

Peace Officers for restaurants, etc.

22. Opening of the Corozal Free Zone. Temperatures logged.

23. Schools. Green Light Standard Safety Checklist and the School Readiness Checklist for face to face instruction.

24. Employers to implement a shift system. For non-essential businesses.

25. Operating remotely. Details.

26. Transportation.

Regulation 26 details for public transportation.

More details for public transportation.

Part III Entry through the airport

27. Requirements for foreign tourist prior to arrival.

Foreign Tourists must book stay at approved hotel or attraction, transportation authorized by Belize Tourism Board (BTB). Failure may cause denial of entry.

28. Testing requirments. Negative PCR test within 96 hours of arrival, or other approved test within 48 hours of arrival.

More restrictions for entry via the airport.

29. Quarantine. Details for anyone testing positive.

30. Compliance with health and safety protocols. Violations shall be issued a violation ticket (see Part VII).

31. Fees for testing. Paid by person entering.

32. Offence and penalty. $5000 or 6 months imprisonment or both.

33. Recovery by civil proceedings. The Quarantine Authority can charge you for tests.

Part IV Entry through land and sea ports

34. Closure of land and sea ports. Entry and exit closed to Belizeans except for cargo shipments, emergency medical travel, or Reg. 35 & 36.

35. Entry of persons returning to Belize at any land or sea port. Allowed if you are Belizean or Permanent Resident returning with proof of having received urgent medical care. See following page.

Also if required to assist health officials in Belize, enrolled or graduand of an educational institution abroad, returning Belizean or Permanent Resident, resident diplomat, foreign diplomat, holder of valid work permit, required for emergency work, business person with investments in Belize. Any of these may be placed into mandatory quarantine or self-quarantine.

36. Permission to enter Belize through land or sea port. Any person qualified under Reg. 35 shall apply to the Ministry or consulate or embassy.

37. Offence and penalty for entering or exiting Belize contrary to Reg. 34. Mandatory quarantine, 3 months imprisionment. Second offence prison for 1 year.

38. Procedure on arrest and charge of persons entering or exiting Belize illegally. Testing, arraignment, quarantine. Continued …

More from Reg 38: isolated in cell, brought to court ASAP.

39. Approval for importation of tests and approval to conduct testing. Ministral grants approval.

40. Mandatory quarantine. Requirement to report positive test. May require quarantine.

Part V Entry of foreign tourists through land ports

41. Entry of foreign tourists at Santa Elena and Belize Western Borders. Mon-Fri 8am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-noon.

42. Testing requirements. 10 days quarantine if from certain African countries. Others tested by MoHW. What happens if positive.

43. Procedure on testing positive for COVID-19. Tourist may be denied entry, or put into Government designated quarantine facility. Discharged by health professional following MoHW guidelines. Offence results in mandatory quarantine and fine of $1000.

44. Requirement to complete health declaration form. Provided by a designated officer.

45. Compliance with health and safety protocols. Wear face mask, observe social distancing. Or be issued violation ticket (see Part VII).

46. Cost for testing. Tourist must pay cost.

47. Offence and penalty. Resistance can get fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for 6 months or both.

48. Recovery by civil proceedings. They can charge you.

Part VI Offences and penalties

49. Offences in relation to mandatory quarantine. If you contravene Reg 40, breach any direction of Quarantine Authority while in quarantine, or escape quarantine, liable for mandatory quarantine and $1,000 fine. For second offence, mandatory quarantine and imprisonment for 1 year.

50. Offence of creating or being in possession of fake immunization card.

51. Penalty for employers and employees. Conviction carries $5,000 fine. Subsequent offence $5,000 fine and closure of that business for 7 days. Contravention of Reg 5 or Reg 12 carries $200 fine.

52. General offence and penalty. Contravention of regulations or inciting any other person to do so can result in a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for 2 years. Subsequent offences imprisonment for 2 years.

Part VII Violation Tickets

53. Issue of violation ticket. Police officer or officer of the Enforcement Unit may issue tickets. Refusing to give info, or giving false info can cost you a fine of $1,000.

54. Form of violation ticket. Schedule IV. Form provided in Schedule IV, prepared in duplicate.

55. Fine to be paid. Fine of $500.

56. Time for payment of fine. You must pay within 15 days. Increased by $10/day if not paid on time. If more than 30 days, you must appear in court.

57. Further application of certain provisions of Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act. Legal stuff.

58. Places for payment of fine. Fines for violation ticket may be paid at the Treasure, District Sub-Treasury, or any Magistrate’s Court.

59. Use of fines paid. They go to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Part VIII Miscellaneous

60. COVID-19 Enforcement Unit. Officers are appointed by the MoHW, published in the Gazette.

61. Repeal and savings. This repeals SI-119 and amendments.

62. Commencement. These regs come into force on 6 Dec 2021.

Schedule I (Reg 2) Essential Services A list of all the entities considered Essential Services.

Schedule II (Reg 2) Vaccines and doses.

Schedule III (Reg 8) Approved Testing Institutions Including Archangel Medical Center in Corozal Town.

Schedule IV (Reg 54) Form of Violation Ticket First of 2 pages for the violation ticket.

Second page for the violation ticket.

Notes and signature of Hon. Michel Chebat, MoHW.