The prime minister of Belize has made an official announcement that Belize?s international airport (BZE), Philip Goldson International Airport, will be opened on August 15, as part of the country?s five-phase re-opening strategy for tourism.
The opening of the airport will kick off Belize?s third phase of re-opening, allowing for further travel relaxation and open entry for chartered flights, private aviation and limited re-opening of international leisure travel with approved hotels only. The airport has implemented enhanced cleaning and sanitisation protocols.
Enhanced health and safety protocols for hotels were also approved by Jose Manuel Heredia, minister of tourism and civil aviation, which serve as the foundation for the destination?s newest ?Tourism Gold Standard? Recognition Programme for hotels, restaurants and tour operators. This nine-point programme seeks to enhance the tourism industry?s health and safety standards by adapting new behaviours and procedures to ensure employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize?s tourism product.
The ongoing efforts will offer holiday opportunities with minimal risk of contracting COVID-19 while in Belize. All passengers travelling to Belize will be required to download the Belize Health App and complete the required information prior to boarding the flight to Belize. A QR code with a unique ID number will be returned to the passenger and will be used for contact tracing while in Belize.
Opening of hotels will be in a phased approach, and the first grouping of hotels that will be allowed to open include properties that have achieved the Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition, and provide full service to guests.
Passengers who provide certification of a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR test done within 72 hours of travel, will be allowed immediate entry into Belize via a ?fast track? lane. All visitors to Belize will be required to wear a mask while travelling, undergo temperature checks, adhere to social distancing, follow and respond to the comprehensive, pro-active, contact tracing guidelines.
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