Belize is now open to international tourism with no quarantine requirements. Due to diligent work by the government and health authorities, Belize’s COVID19 numbers are at record low numbers. Entry and travel requirements have been eased substantially. Industry projections indicate a growing return to normal travel.
What to expect in updated Belize Tourism? The infographic below shows the latest traveller classifications and entry requirements in place for international tourism. The tracking cell phone app has now been scrapped. Tourists are no longer be confined to their Gold Standard hotels, and Belizeans and permanent residents will not be required to undergo a 10-day quarantine as previously required. Additionally, restaurants countrywide will now allowed to cater to more than 75% of customers based on the establishment’s square footage. All seating arrangements must guarantee social distancing, and no more than ten persons per table are allowed. (Image above: Halfmoon Caye Belize, credit Otavio.kuhn)
Who can visit Belize?
Any traveller is permitted to visit Belize at this time.
- 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.
- Or, if you cannot provide proof of immunisation 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.
Tourists to Belize can now travel freely to facilities which will include hotels, restaurants and tour operators that have achieved “Tourism Gold Standard” Recognition. The Gold Standard Recognition Program is a 9-point program that seeks to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards by adapting new behaviors and procedures to ensure both employees and travelers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product. Businesses that meet the requirements of the Tourism Gold Standard Program are certified and promoted as having implemented these enhanced measures with a Gold Standard Seal of Approval. This seal certifies industry stakeholders who’ve embraced the safety protocols, and will be visible for all guests where practical, such as tour operator vehicles and vessels, hotel lobbies, primary doors of entry, etc.
Belize Travel Health App Is No More
As a part of the travel entry requirements to Belize during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Government of Belize had developed the Belize Travel Health App to assist all travellers in submitting the requisite travel and health information to facilitate travel into Belize. As of 11 May 2021, this requirement has been binned. It is no more. It is no longer a requirement for travel to Belize. Please feel free to visit www.covid19.bz for further information on your travel to Belize.
Belize Gold Standard Accommodations
Belize now has a list of certified Gold Standard Tourism Facilities. These are tourist accommodations ranging from full hotels down to the budget level inns. However, this moniker appears to be on the way out as in practice, it is no longer being enforced. See here for the latest update from the Belize Hotel Association.
COVID19 Curfew and Other Regulations Update July 2021
Effective 26 July 2021 nightlife activities in Belize will be reduced by one hour as the curfew will now be from nine p.m. to four a.m. The decision has been made because the country is now confirmed to be in its third wave with over three hundred active COVID-19 cases.
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness “We are taking additional measures. I want to put the whole country on notice that starting on Monday, as a result of the increase in numbers that we are seeing, as a result, that we are not observing the public health measures which are intended to curb the numbers, we are going to be looking at a new timeframe for the curfew. As of Monday, curfew will begin across the country from nine o’clock and it is going to go on to four o’clock in the morning. So that’s an additional measure we are taking into place.”
On 20 May, government gave its approval for the reopening of land and sea border points to foreign tourists, namely, the Santa Elena Northern Border, Benque Viejo del Carmen Western Border, San Pedro and Punta Gorda borders. The borders open 31 May for foreign tourists only. Does not apply to nationals or residents of Belize. Only tourists who are pre-booked at certified accommodations will be allowed entry into Belize.