Belize COVID-19 Updates

As of 14 September 2021, 176,242 persons or 40% of the population had received at least one dose of a COVID19 vaccine. This represents an increase of 3,165 new vaccinations over last week’s numbers. As of 14th September 2021, 81,229 persons or 18.8% of the population has been fully vaccinated, an increase of 4,950 over last week’s 74,874. Since the roll-out of the Pfizer vaccines, 17,172 Belizeans between the ages of 12 and 17 years have received their first shot of this vaccine. Belize continues to be in a relatively good position compared to neighbouring countries in Central America. Its small population of a little over 420,000 inhabitants enables authorities to identify clusters and address them by shutting down access to targeted population centres and tweaking curfew regulations. COVID19 measures were announced by the government of Belize on 15 September 2021, to take effect on 20 September 2021 and to run for a period of two weeks. Curfew hours are now from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Exempt are the tourist destinations of Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia and Hopkins where the curfew remains from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Restaurants countrywide are now to operate for takeaway services only, with the exception for those in the tourist destinations mentioned above. All casinos and churches are now closed. Contact sports are not allowed. On the days Sunday September 26th and October 3rd no movement will allowed except for medical emergencies or for the purchase of food, fuel or medication. Full Text Statutory Instrument 106 of 2021 Public Health Regulations.

Belize entry requirements are strict. All visitors must have a passport to enter Belize and their passports must be valid for no less than six months after the intended period of stay. Visitors must be vaccinated or present a recent COVID-19 test (see below). Nationals of the following countries do not currently need visas to travel to Belize: the United States of America, Canada, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, South Korea, Mexico, Israel, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Uruguay, Malaysia, Morroco, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Honduras, Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Venezuela, The Republic of China (Taiwan), Guatemala, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. See our Belize Visa page.

You are required to complete the Customs and Immigration Form that is provided to you on your flight to Belize. Bring along an Official Vaccine Card reflecting the receipt of the dual or single dose vaccine at least two weeks prior to arrival. If you cannot provide proof of immunization bring along a negative Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Covid-19 test taken within 96 hours of travel, OR Rapid Antigen, Sofia, SD Biosensor, ABBOTT (Panbio) test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. If neither is presented, you can take a Covid-19 test upon arrival.Children under the age of 5 are not required to present a negative COVID test; Children 5 years and older must present a negative COVID test. With effect from 9 August all travellers, whether they have a vaccine or not, will need to present a negative COVID-19 test. That’s a PCR test taken within four days of travel, or a rapid test taken within 48 hours. If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of $50 US per passenger. Those coming by land at the Northern and Western Borders will be administered a Rapid Test for COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health.

The country’s primary concern is to assure both travellers and residents that Belize’s tourism product is safer than ever before. A series of new enhanced health and safety protocols have been put in place to protect visitors, Belizeans, and our communities. These include:

Mandatory use of face masks in public spaces. Enforcement of physical distancing in public spaces and capacity restrictions at restaurants (currently 50%), grocery stores, retail stores, etc. Introduction of the Tourism Gold Standard Program to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards by adapting new procedures to ensure both employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product. Other measures include: Online check-in/out, contactless payment system and automated ordering/booking systems. Hand sanitizing stations. Enhanced cleaning and sanitization of public spaces and high touch surfaces. Capacity restrictions for all tourism sites. Smaller tour groups to provide a more intimate tour experience

Yes, we recommended that you bring along one of the accepted COVID19 tests (see Entry Requirements above) as this will provide for a ‘fast track’ arrival process. Depending on the results of your health screening, you may be randomly selected for secondary testing. If you are unable bring along a COVID19 test, you will be required to test upon arrival; the cost is US$50.00. Only cash is accepted at this time; credit card machines and ATMs are not available in the Health Testing Unit.

Enhanced health and safety measures have been adapted to protect both officers and arriving passengers. Some of these measures include protective barriers to reduce contact between the officers and the passengers, kiosks for scanning of passports upon entry, luggage scanners in the Customs Hall, and safety barriers where inspection of luggage is required.

Tourists visiting Belize can move about freely, however it is recommended that they remain within the Tourism Safe Corridor. The Safe Corridor includes Gold Standard certified accommodations, tour operators, tourism transportation providers, restaurants, tourism sites and attractions, and gift shops. These Gold Standard and certified entities have all been trained and have implemented enhanced health and safety measures. A curfew is currently in effect every day from 10:00 pm to 4:00. Persons are not permitted to be in any public space during this time, and risk a fine if found in contravention of the regulation.

If you start to exhibit any COVID-like symptoms, immediately notify your hotel’s front desk, and they will implement their Covid Response Plan. Should you develop symptoms, and test positive for the virus while in country, you will be required to quarantine for a minimum of 14-days at your expense. It is highly recommended that you obtain travel insurance prior to coming to Belize in the event that you become sick while on vacation.

An individual can apply for permanent residence after legally residing in Belize for a minimum of one year. The fee for residency ranges from USD$187.50 to USD$1,562.50 depending on the nationality of the applicant. Individuals who are interested in residing permanently in Belize must submit the following upon application: Applicant must show proof that he/she has been in Belize for one year by using passport/refugees document as evidence. See our Belize Residency and Citizenship page.