Below is a detailed outline of the coronavirus timeline in Belize. Belize’s tourism had grown over 96% from 2011 to 2018 and was one of the fastest-growing Caribbean destinations. Unfortunately, all that came to a screeching halt with COVID-19. Belize will be a tourist destination once again when it is safe to travel.
Here’s a monthly timeline of how the pandemic has developed in Belize since our first confirmed COVID-19 infection.
MARCH
March 13, 2020 – Cruises see cancellations due to COVID-19.
March 20, 2020 – Zero cases of coronavirus reported.
March 21, 2020 – The northern border was open to cargo traffic only, and the southern and western borders were closed. It was also reported that an American vacationing here was diagnosed with COVID-19 after returning to the US. Belize begins mapping cases of the virus.
March 23, 2020 – The Phillip Goldson International Airport is closed. Notably, the first case of COVID-19 is reported. A 38-year-old Belize national returned a few days before the report from Los Angeles and lived in San Pedro. She, unfortunately, infected her mother, who became case number two. A state of emergency was issued for Ambergris Caye with no entry or exit of the island. Many people were stranded on and off the island.
March 25, 2020 – It was announced that twenty-three Cuban frontline medical personnel would arrive on the 26th to help during this time.
March 29, 2020 – A 38-year-old Belizean who traveled to New York and returned to Belize was the first COVID-19 case that tested positive.
APRIL
April 3, 2020 – The fourth confirmed case of COVID-19 was a 55-year-old who lived in San Ignacio.
April 5, 2020 – The fifth case was confirmed. A Belizean student returned from Florida, testing positive with COVID-19. All borders were closed, unless an emergency, for Belizeans trying to leave or enter the country.
April 6, 2020 – Two more cases were confirmed, and the first death was reported. The Prime Minister issued a shutdown order for the Cayo District to go into effect on the 7th of April.
April 8, 2020 – The eighth case was confirmed, a man who had close contact with another positive case was in the Corozal hospital.
April 9, 2020 – Cases nine and ten were confirmed positive.
April 10, 2020 – Regretfully, the second COVID-19 death was reported at KHMH.
April 11, 2020 – More testing is offered, and two more cases were confirmed, one in Corozal and another in Belize City.
April 12, 2020 – The fourteenth case is reported.
April 13, 2020 – Four new cases are reported with one in San Ignacio and three in Belize City. This news brings uneasiness and stress to Belizeans. The month of April in Belize’s timeline reflected this spike of COVID-19 cases.
MAY
May 1, 2020 – A little positive news is being reported that nearly half of the COVID-19 cases are recovering. Masks are required for specific groups, and the rest of the population can move about a little more.
May 6, 2020 – All COVID-19 cases are healed and Belize is COVID-19 free. Belize becomes one of a handful of countries COVID-19 FREE.
May 16th, 2020 – Controlled repatriation of displaced Belizean Citizens abroad begins.
May 23rd, 2020 – Belize hits the 40-day mark of no active coronavirus cases in the country.
Special thanks to David Kafka of REMAX/First Choice in Placencia for sharing a COVID-19 timeline for Belize.
RE/MAX Island Real Estate is committed to serving our clients and the Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker communities. We understand the Belize real estate market and are available to answer any questions you may have.
