Traveling To Belize With New COVID-19 Protocols

Traveling To Belize With New COVID-19 Protocols As Part Of The 5-Phase Reopening Strategy

With the Belize airport and land borders closed since the end of March and the containment efforts during the height of the pandemic, Belize had a COVID-free environment for a stretch of more than 50 days. To date, we didn’t have any COVID-19 cases in Caye Caulker! Therefore, the island is a great option for a tropical vacation with a lower risk of contracting the virus.

However, the Government of Belize released new protocols for traveling to Belize in an effort to control the virus and keep visitors and residents of Belize safe.

Here’s what you need to know about traveling to Belize with new COVID-19 protocols.

Reopening of The Belize International Airport

While the land borders will stay closed for now, the Belize Prime Minister of Belize announced that the International Airport has been approved for starting its operations again on August 15, 2020. On this date, Belize will introduce phase 3 of the re-opening strategy and relax the travel restrictions. Phase 3 includes entry for chartered flights, private aviation and limited re-opening of international travel.

Belize Travel 5-Phase Reopening Plan

Safety Protocols

Vacation will be different from travel as we know it. Safety protocols will be in place from the time of arrival in Belize to the time of departure to limit the risk of contracting COVID-19.

The Government of Belize put additional measures for this reopening phase in place

All travelers will be required to download the Belize Health App and complete the questionnaire prior to boarding (App is not yet available)
Passengers will receive a QR code with a unique ID number used for contact tracing during their stay in Belize
Travelers are encouraged to take a COVID PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure. There will be a ‘fast-track lane’ at the airport, if the certification of a negative result from this COVID-19 PCR test can be provided upon arrival.
If visitors do not provide the negative test results upon arrival, they must test immediately upon arrival in Belize at their own expense. Only a negative result will allow entry into Belize.
Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 at the Belize International Airport will be placed in mandatory quarantine for a minimum of 14 days at the passengers expense
Hotels will re-open in a phased approach. The first hotels to reopen will have to have certain amenities onsite, such as pick-up/drop-off services from the airport, a restaurant, a pool or access to beachfront, provide isolated tours, and limit the number of guests on the property. So, you need to book your stay in advance. *We will mark the hotels that have been approved for Gold Standard in our accommodations directory.

Safety Measures At The Airport

The Belize International Airport has implemented a number of safety and sanitization protocols for arrival and departure.

Only ticketed passengers are allowed inside the airport building
Mandatory use of facemasks while inside the airport
Hand sanitizing stations throughout the airport
Floor markers, 6 feet apart, to ensure social distancing during the arrival and departure process
Sanitization of luggage upon arrival prior to transfer to the airport building
Safety barriers at the immigration, customs, and check-in counters

Here’s Your Part - The Requirements For Visitors To Belize

Wear a facemask one the plane, and during the deplaning and arrival process, inside the airport, and in all public spaces during your stay
Have your temperature checked with a non-contact digital infrared thermometer or thermal imaging camera
Practice social distancing at all times
Adhere to the contact tracing guidelines to ensure rapid response by health officials should COVID-19 symptoms develop
Wash and sanitize your hands frequently

For more details and FAQ’s, please visit the Belize Tourism Board!

In addition to the new travel protocols, enhanced safety guidelines were approved by the Belize Tourism Board to regulate health and safety standards at hotels, restaurants, and tour operator.

In conclusion, traveling to Belize with the new COVID-19 protocols in place will be possible but different. Travel, as we’ve known it will be over – at least for a while.

However, better traveling with restrictions to a beach in Caye Caulker than not traveling at all!