Belize Has Postponed Its Tourism Re-Opening
Belize has postponed its tourism re-opening. Citing an uptick in Covid-19 cases across the small Central American country, its plans to re-open on August 15th have been put on hold indefinitely.
BZE Airport Remains Closed
This is a big blow to the tourism industry. Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) has been closed for months while the country navigated the Covid-19 crisis. They’d been mostly successful, until recently. Cases have increased to a weekly rate of 78 per 100,000 residents, according to The New York Times (as of 8/19/20).
The country’s international airport is open only for repatriation flights, and the land borders remain closed. All arriving passengers must quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.
When Can We Expect a Re-Opening?
It’s hard to say when the country will re-open to tourism. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has expressed his frustration with the rising number of cases. By delaying international arrivals (and schools, as well), they hope to get the situation under control before tourists start arriving from the hard hit United States.
Procedure for Visitors
Once the country opens its borders again, Belizean authorities have developed a fairly comprehensive plan. Visitors would have to check in daily on the Belize Health App, and also present negative Covid-19 PCR test results. Visitor would be tested at most 72 hours before their arrival.
Final Thoughts
I love Belize! My wife and I got married on the beach in Placencia and return every five years on our anniversary. Belize has postponed its tourism re-opening. It’s a big setback for a nation that relies heavily on U.S. tourists in particular.
It’s been many months since the country has been open for international visitors. The tourist industry had August 15th circled on its collective calendar. We hope this is a short setback, and that the country can re-open by next month.
If Belize is on your bucket list or already in your travel plans, check out our destination guide to this fascinating country.