Belize is now allowing vaccinated travellers to enter the county without having to present a negative COVID-19 test. The new health order, which became effective at the end of February, states that travellers who enter Belize through the airport and provide proof of COVID-19 immunization are no longer required to present a negative test result for entry.
For instance, vaccinated travellers can present the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card as proof that the vaccine has been administered at least two weeks prior to arrival. Non-vaccinated travellers are still required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours (four days) of travel or a negative rapid Antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel to Belize.
If passengers fail to present a negative PCR or antigen test, one will be performed at the airport at the traveller’s expense of USD 50. Additionally, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has expanded testing to facilitate all persons departing from Belize for travel to the U.S. and other countries that require a negative test result for entry.
The decision to ease the restriction on travellers who have received the COVID vaccine has been facilitated by the reduction in daily new cases across the country.
Belize has been very successful in its efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19 over the past few weeks; presently, there are less than 100 active cases countrywide, and the numbers have been consistently decreasing, according to the Belize Tourism Board.
As Belize’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign rolls out throughout the country, frontline tourism stakeholders will be among those receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine during the early stages of the campaign. The vaccination of the tourism sector, in conjunction with the ongoing implementation of enhanced health and safety protocols, and the receipt of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp will convey to the world that Belize is indeed a safe and viable tourism destination.
