Due to the alarming spike in COVID-19 cases in three rural communities in the Toledo District of southern Belize, the government implemented a lockdown for the villages of Conejo, Midway, and Barranco for the next two weeks. The lockdown started on Friday, July 2nd, and a curfew from 8PM to 4:59AM will be enforced. During these two weeks, the government will assist the villagers.
The lockdown order was announced by the Minister of Health and Wellness (MOHW), the Honourable Michel Chebat, during the Sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday. According to him, food packages will be distributed to every family in these villages. Chebat explained that food provisions would be replenished every four days until the end of the lockdown, and each family will receive $150 per week. “This is how a lockdown should be done,” said Chebat. Contact tracers will soon start to contain the infections.
This is the first lockdown in months following several implemented in 2020. MOHW continues to advise the public to visit the nearest healthcare center and get the vaccine against COVID-19. The government is also reminding all Belizeans to continue observing the public health measures (proper handwashing, mask-wearing, and social distancing) that are currently in place.
