The Government of Belize (GoB) has amended the State of Emergency (SoE) regulations, which have been relaxed in some areas while maintaining key protocols, including the SOE curfew.

Rule 4 of the “new” SOE”, Statutory Instrument No. 65, maintains the curfew hours of 8pm to 5am of the following day, with the curfew hours for minors continuing to be governed by the Families and Children (Protection of
Children) Regulations (2020).

In terms of approved businesses, the most noticeable change is to rental accommodations, which unlike what was allowed under earlier versions of the SOE are now permitted to open to local tourists. The law, of course, continues to prohibit hotels and villas and the like from offer accommodation to international travelers, who due to closed borders would not be able to enter the country in any event.

Additionally, hotels that also offer restaurant services are limited to only providing take-out, drive-through or room service. In keeping with the physical distancing protocols, this aspect of the hotels’ businesses is not yet open restuarantgoers.

Another palpable change is found in Regulation 9(b)(xi) that governs the operations of wholesalers. The previous proviso which read “provided that the wholesalers shall operate only to supply, to an approved business allowed to operate under these Regulations, by delivery only, but such wholesaler shall not be open for business
to the general public” has been removed. Therefore, the restrictions on wholesalers of goods and services has been noticeably eased.

While there has been some easing of the protocols, it is also important to note that Regulation 12 of Law does continue the call on companies to maintain appropriate physical distancing and hygienic protocols, with the strictest of oversight protocols being placed on Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs). BPOs have been allowed to reopen, but only for staff training purposes.

Effective May 4th, an amendment to the S.I. was enacted (S.I. No. 66), which broadened the scope by inserting the following:

““(xxi) all other businesses, establishments, shops, offices, organizations and other similar entities, and services not specifically mentioned under this regulation, provided that all schools shall remain closed; and provided further that businesses and activities prohibited under regulations 10 and 15, or restricted under regulation
14, shall remain prohibited and restricted, respectively.”