Governance and the Rule of Law

With debate over mandatory vaccination policies, Belize’s government has been working to come up with measures to best prevent the spread of COVID, as infection rapidly increases. Additionally, Belize has created and maintained key relationships with neighboring countries such as Panama and Venezuela as well as further such as Taiwan.

1. The government of Belize will accept Venezuelans upcoming commission for the elections, a critical decision in the midst of the pandemic. 
2. Additionally, the Election Commission will supervise the election process in Venezuela where they will work with the European Union Election commission as well. 
3. Belize and Taiwan have been working out relations for producing more goods exchanged. 
4. New government policy to increase transportation has put funding into a connection with Belize to other Latin American countries by train. 
5. There has been much debate over the idea of mandatory vaccination policy as all essential workers must be vaccinated by Dec 15, 2021. 
6. Belize supports the United States’ end of blockade of Cuba citing Cuba’s recent success with COVID-19 management including vaccine distribution as one major reason to consider. 
7. Belize and Guatemala work to reform relations over the agricultural sector involving mainly corn. 
8. PAHO states that the vaccine priority is not children as countries such as Belize are still hitting lower vaccination rates. 
9. Belize and government officials in Panama recently honored Panama’s independence from Spain, to show the two countries’ growing relationship especially during the pandemic. 
10.  There is a large gap between the Ministry of Public Systems and its mandatory vaccination policy for workers. The two are not working together to create a strategy for this as the private sector is calling the new policy a double standard and discrimination against public sector workers.

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Growth and Innovation

Currently, Belize is being recognized at a global level for its work to help use debt to promote nature conservation especially within the marine environment. Additionally, the country, like many other Latin American countries, has seen a great rebound post COVID in its economy, allowing for infrastructure improvements. However, in a post pandemic world, it will become more about making this growth long term, as much of what Belize sees right now is a direct rebound in the tourism industry.

1. Belize’s economy records a 15% growth rate showing a great rebound post COVID-19. 
2. Post COVID 19 in general, the rebound of the economy has been incredibly high in Belize and in other parts of Latin America. 
3. There is a new financial investment into the Belize infrastructure and economy of about $15 million USD.
4. The energy sector investment increases allowed for more energy development and private sector investment into the system. 
5. New airline connections will be put into Belize with Alaskan Airlines being the only US airway to do direct flights there. This comes as Belize is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination. 
6. Additionally, there are intrastate transportation improvements with the government connecting the Tren Maya, a tourist train, to new parts of the country. It begins in Mexico and has stops in Belize. 
7. After Belize’s bond system crashed because of the pandemic, they are having to restructure and pay back the government. However, this return of funds to the government will go directly to the marine conservation efforts. 
8. This debt system for marketers could potentially stand as a model for other countries recovering from the effects of tourism post the pandemic and in general for restructuring and rebuilding their economy. 
9. The country post COVID will have to improve their GDP debt ratio after the lack of tourism pushed it to 125%. The debt recovery stands as a short term solution for a longer recovery period. 
10.  Medicine Patents Pool, backed by the UN, will work with Pfizer to bring a COVID-19 pill into production, reaching Belize in efforts to eventually help stop the spread.

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Social and Cultural Inclusion

To help recover from COVID, Belize has been taking a series of steps to secure vaccine distribution and help with the country’s food insecurity. Additionally, with task forces through the UN, they have been working to help support women during the pandemic. Also, the country has had many interesting cultural events from supporting other countries’ cultures to helping recover artifacts from the colonial time, in order to more fully understand their own culture.

1. The Belize Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger and Malnutrition wants to work with the government to end food insecurity in Belize. 
2. UNICEF has sent supplies to Belize to help support with health care access and cold supplies, during the pandemic. 
3. New archaeological interests have been found in Belize in a subaquatic area. 
4. Migrants from Belize have been detained as part of a larger group of migrants in Texas from being in a safe house. 
5. Vaccination distribution continues in many major cities of Belize over the past few weeks. 
6. Belize’s actions of environmental support have set a precedent in the Caribbean for marine conservation as they commit support to over 30% of its ocean. 
7. The Minister of Culture of Belize contributed to a meeting surrounding regional cultural projects surrounding history that typically has excluded minority groups. 
8. Cuba celebrates Belize culture in a festival to show the support and significance of their relationship as countries but also as supporters of their histories. 
9. Belize has been working to change the narrative of colonialist artifacts by trying to create a new way post repariating artifacts, to display culture and for people to learn about their pasts. 
10. Based on a study from the UNHCR, Belize and other Latin American countries have on average about a 30% participation rate of women in COVID-19 task forces. Additionally, the task force is responsible for tracking violence against women during COVID. Belize has a total of 3 task forces.  

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SPRING 2021

Governance and Rule of Law

Even with the vaccination process beginning, the government of Belize is maintaining safety measures like a nightly curfew, limits on gatherings, and a mask mandate. The country has been open to tourism since October, but recommendations for tourist movement and transparency with COVID-19 data have helped to limit outbreaks since December.

• Approximately 35,000 Belizeans, including over 80% of health workers, have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Moving forward, there is a focus on vaccinating the elderly, vulnerable people, and teachers. 
• India donated 25,000 vaccines to Belize to aid in their inoculation campaign. 
• Belize reopened to international travel on October 1. The reopening, however, is limited by government recommendations. Belize currently has a Tourism Safe Corridor, meaning that tourists have been recommended to only stay in specific, Gold Standard hotels, travel via approved methods, and go on approved tours.
• As of March, travelers are no longer required to undergo COVID-19 testing when entering the country if they are able to provide a vaccine record card dated at least 2 weeks prior to their arrival. 
• The Government of Belize established the Unemployment Relief Programme to aid citizens who lost their jobs due to the closing of businesses and decline in tourism. 
• The government announced a small business support program which has been allocated $28.5 million.
• The Ministry of Tourism launched a data dashboard to increase transparency surrounding the status of the virus in the country and to assist small tourism businesses in making decisions. 
• The People’s United Party (PUP) had a significant victory in the November election, winning 26 of the 31 seats that were up for election and gaining control of the position of prime minister. Leading up to the election, PUP had challenged the United Democratic Party’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Non-compliance with government regulations surrounding COVID-19, including the mask mandate and social distancing rules, may result in a BLZ$5,000 fine and/or a two-year prison sentence.
• A cohort of nurses in Belize collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization to improve the country’s health capacity by boosting the number of nurses trained in critical care. 
• A daily curfew remains in place from 10 PM to 5 AM.

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Growth and Innovation  

Belize’s economy has suffered immensely during the pandemic, with unemployment reaching almost 30% and a 14% reduction in gross domestic product (GDP). Now, concerns are mounting over the possibility that Belize will default on its debt payments. Prospects for Belize’s future growth rest on the revival of the tourism industry. However, with tourism unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2022, economists warn that the country’s current path is unsustainable.

• PUP, now in control of the country’s legislature, has announced their intentions to fast track an $80 million stimulus package to revamp the economy. The party also plans to put more money into the national healthcare system.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is encouraging Belize to avoid legislation that would increase public debt, due to quickly accumulating debt levels.
• The Ministry of Finance announced that unemployment has reached almost 30% and the debt to GDP ratio is 134.1%, the highest in the Caribbean and Central American region.
• The Government of Belize released the official Economic Recovery Strategy for Belize which focuses significantly on reviving the tourism and agricultural sectors. Unemployment in the tourism sector has become one of the most prominent consequences of the pandemic in Belize. 
• Belize also announced that they will be restructuring their bonds as part of a broader attempt to restructure debt, although there have been few specifics released.
• Tourism contributes to 40% of overall GDP in Belize. Though the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the overall economy, it has especially affected businesses in the tourism sector due to a 72% decrease in total tourist arrivals.
• Tourism is expected to drop by between 35% to 50% in small countries such as Belize with only partial recovery expected by 2021. The IMF estimates that tourism will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022.
• Overall, GDP decreased by 14% in 2020. The IMF predicts that real GDP will not return to 2019 levels until 2025.
• A reallocation of US$8 million in funds from the World Bank aims to strengthen the agricultural sector and food systems in Belize, both of which have suffered due to a combination of COVID-19 and drought. 
• Unemployment is dramatically affecting Belizean citizens, especially single-parent families and families where women are the primary breadwinners. 

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Social and Cultural Inclusion  

Community advocacy and collaboration characterize the social and cultural response to the pandemic in Belize today. Government institutions, public officials, and civil society organizations have worked together to provide financial and social assistance to communities through cash transfer programs, outreach, and informational resources.  

• Patients have been protesting the high cost of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority, with some patients being charged thousands of dollars for the PPE used during their hospital visits. PM Briceño has promised to investigate the cause of these costs.
• With US$12.4 million in funding from the World Bank, Belize will be implementing a cash transfer program to qualifying households. The program is expected to benefit 13,000 households in need. All current recipients of poverty reduction programs will benefit, as well as some poor households that do not receive any other government benefits. 
• The Belizean government has provided a referral pathway for women experiencing gender-based violence. The call system works to provide safe houses, psychological support, and emergency protection orders.
• The Ministry of Education established a community advocacy program for citizen education on COVID-19 prevention and control measures. 
• Youth educational tools, outreach programs, and resources such as videos and broadcasts have become available on the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture Facebook page. 
• Some Garifuna indigenous communities in Southern Belize have turned to traditional farming practices to increase self sufficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• A local Senator began a vegetable garden in her backyard to provide Belizean citizens access to food and mitigate the pandemic’s impact on food security.

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SPRING/FALL 2020

Governance and Rule of Law

The government of Belize has taken great precautions in mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population with the implementation of quarantine measures and prevention strategies such as mandated mask-wearing. Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s ruling party has received substantial backlash from the opposing political party for the central government’s response to economic and social effects of the virus throughout the country. 

• The Government of Belize established the Unemployment Relief Programme to aid citizens who lost their jobs due to the closing of businesses and decline in tourism. 
• The government announced a small business support program which has been allocated $28.5 million.
• The United Democratic Party (UDP) Leadership Convention took place in early July to select the party’s new leader prior to upcoming general elections in November of this year. 
• The Belizean government’s announcement to reopen the main airport in August was met with polarizing reactions by some business owners in the tourism sector. 
• The Government of Belize and PM Dean Barrow of the UDP received backlash from the opposition party, the People’s United Party (PUP), for the hike in prices of fuel and cuts to the University of Belize’s budget despite the negative economic impacts of the pandemic. 
• The government has plans to install a legislative framework which enacts strict protocols for Belizeans and tourists traveling in and out of the country prior to the main airport’s reopening on August 15. 

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Growth and Innovation

Prospects for Belize’s future growth rest on the revival of the tourism industry, which provides substantial income for the country and provides many Belizean citizens with employment opportunities. In a country where almost half of the overall gross domestic product (GDP) is produced from tourism, the pandemic underscores the major economic impacts on tourism-dependent countries where a 35% to 50% decline in tourism is expected through the end of 2020. 

• The Government of Belize released the official Economic Recovery Strategy for Belize which focuses significantly on reviving the tourism and agricultural sectors.
• Unemployment in the tourism sector has become one of the most prominent consequences of the pandemic in Belize. 
• More than 200 people (60% of employees) for the domestic airline Tropic Air were let go due to loss of income in the tourism sector. 
• Unemployment is dramatically affecting Belizean citizens, especially single-parent families and families where women are the primary breadwinners. 
• Water taxi businesses have had to cut down services to limit the amount of trips to outlying islands such as Caye Caulker and San Pedro. 
• The main airport in Belize is set to reopen on August 15 and has established a “Gold Standard” for travel with a set of guidelines and regulations for travel health and safety. 
• Tourism is expected to drop by between 35% to 50% in small countries such as Belize with only partial recovery expected by 2021. 
• Tourism contributes to 40% of overall GDP in Belize. Though the pandemic has taken a devastating toll on the overall economy, it has especially affected businesses in the tourism sector.
• A strike by employees from the Christian Workers Union at the Port of Belize has further weakened the already fragile economy, as the port’s revenue declined by 41% since the beginning of the pandemic. 

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Social and Cultural Inclusion

Community advocacy and collaboration characterize the social and cultural response to the pandemic in Belize today. Government institutions, public officials, civil organizations, and Belizean citizens have worked together to provide financial and social assistance within their own communities through education, outreach, and access to informational resources.  

• Belizean citizens have played significant roles in helping out their communities. In one instance, a Belizean-American businessman donated money to a woman whose husband contracted COVID-19 to help her purchase groceries and necessary supplies.  
• The National Women’s Commission provided the Belizean police department with a gender-based violence hotline to aid women with a resource for reporting domestic violence.  
• A local Senator began a vegetable garden in her backyard to provide Belizean citizens access to food and mitigate the pandemic’s impact on food security. 
• The Ministry of Education established a community advocacy program for citizen education on COVID-19 prevention and control measures. 
• Youth educational tools, outreach programs, and resources such as videos and broadcasts have become available on the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture Facebook page. 
• Currently on lockdown due to a cluster of COVID-19 cases, the small communities of San Felipe Village and Blue Creek have struggled with food shortages and access to potable water.

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Select resources for Belize:

Governance and the Rule of Law:

Belize Tourism Board. (2020, October). COVID-19 Update for Travellers. Ministry of Tourism. https://belizetourismboard.org/belize-covid-19-update-for-travellers/.

Breaking Belize News. (2021, February 11). ‘As travel returns, vaccination passports will soon be required. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/02/11/as-travel-returns-vaccination-passports-will-soon-be-required/.

————. (2021, March 7). BREAKING: 25,000 COVID-19 vaccines donated by India to reach Belize on Monday. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/03/07/breaking-25000-covid-19-vaccines-donated-by-india-to-reach-belize-on-monday/.

————. (2021, March 15). Ministry of Tourism rolls out new “COVID-19 dashboard” and “business toolkit” programs. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/03/15/ministry-of-tourism-rolls-out-new-covid-19-dashboard-and-business-toolkit-programs/.

————. (2021, April 17). More than 34,000 people in Belize have received their first AstraZeneca shot. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/04/17/more-than-34000-people-in-belize-have-received-their-first-astrazeneca-shot/.

Britell, A. (n.d.). Vaccinated Travelers Can Now Visit Belize Without a Test. Caribbean Journal. https://www.caribjournal.com/2021/03/10/vaccinated-travelers-can-now-visit-belize-without-a-test/.

Caribbean National Weekly. (2020, October 27). Belize Health Authorities Want Curfew on Election Night. https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/caribbean-breaking-news-featured/belize-health-authorities-want-curfew-on-election-night/.

Channel 5 New Belize. (2020, June 15). Summary Report of G.O.B.’s US$75 COVID-19 Unemployment Relief Programme Released.  https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/204233.

————. (2020, June 16). P.U.P. Says G.O.B. Merciless in Time of Crisis. https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/204310.

Government of Belize Press Office (2020, July 3). Government of Belize Announces the MSME Support Program [Press Release]. https://www.pressoffice.gov.bz/government-of-belize-announces-the-msme-support-program/.

Jones, P. (2020, November 12). Belize hands opposition resounding electoral victory. Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/international-news-general-elections-coronavirus-pandemic-elections-central-america-39f88ef7dc84acd1dfccc1ccba083819.

Nurse, M. (2020, October 5). Belize Reopens to International Tourism. CARICOM Today. https://today.caricom.org/2020/10/01/belize-reopens-to-international-tourism/.

U.S. Embassy in Belize. (2021, April 9). COVID-19 Information. U.S. Department of State, Western Hemisphere Affairs. https://bz.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/?_ga=2.142774965.1273557521.1601407032-1303652006.1600803379.

World Health Organization. (2021, March 29). Caribbean countries boost the capacities of nurses in critical care during COVID-19. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/caribbean-countries-boost-the-capacities-of-nurses-in-critical-care-during-covid-19.

Growth and Innovation:

Breaking Belize News. (2021, February 11). State of the Nation’s Economy: Personal income down; unemployment, debt up. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/02/11/state-of-the-nations-economy-personal-income-down-unemployment-debt-up/.

International Monetary Fund. (2021, March 12). Belize: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2020 Article IV Mission. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2021/03/12/mcs031221-belize-staff-concluding-statement-of-the-2020-article-iv-mission.

Jones, P. (2020, November 11). Belize electing new government amid rising coronavirus cases. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/belize-electing-new-government-amid-rising-coronavirus-cases/2020/11/11/347c969a-23db-11eb-9c4a-0dc6242c4814_story.html.

Kamel, D. (2020, June 23). Small islands’ economies to shrink as tourism declines amid Covid-19 pandemic. The National. https://www.thenational.ae/business/small-islands-economies-to-shrink-as-tourism-declines-amid-covid-19-pandemic-1.1037866.

Nurse, M. (2020, October 5). Belize Reopens to International Tourism. CARICOM Today. https://today.caricom.org/2020/10/01/belize-reopens-to-international-tourism/.

Reuters Staff. (2021, March 24). UPDATE 1-Belize bond holders form committee as country seeks restructuring. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/belize-debtrenegotiation-idUSL8N2LM67U.

World Bank. (2020, August 27). World Bank Provides US$8 Million to Strengthen Agriculture and Food Security in Belize. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples/webpage-website-references#2.

Social and Cultural Inclusion:

Breaking Belize News. (2021, February 1). ‘Supplies are not free’: Patients continue to rack PPE medical charges in the thousands. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/02/01/supplies-are-not-free-patients-continue-to-rack-ppe-medical-charges-in-the-thousands/.

————. (2021, February 3). Prime Minister John Briceño pledges to investigate high PPE costs at KHMH. https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2021/02/03/prime-minister-john-briceno-pledges-to-investigate-high-ppe-costs-at-khmh/.

Channel 5 News Belize. (2020, June 26). A backyard farm for food security during a pandemic!. https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/204832.

Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture. (2020). Community immunity ambassador program. Government of Belize. https://www.moe.gov.bz/community-immunity-ambassador-program/.

Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved July 22, 2020, from https://www.facebook.com/BelizeMOEYS/.

Moloney, A. (2020, August 18). Caribbean indigenous people return to roots as COVID-19 shrinks tourism. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-caribbean-tourism/caribbean-indigenous-people-return-to-roots-as-covid-19-shrinks-tourism-idUSKCN25F01F.

United Nations Development Programme. (2020, October). COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker. https://data.undp.org/gendertracker.