And, the constant succession of scares is what prompted the Ministry of Health to suggest a travel ban. That went into effect last weekend and it stipulates that all travelers who have been in China within 14 days immediately prior to arrival in Belize be denied entry.
The Director of Health Services explained the justification.
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services
"You know, we have made that travel recommendation I think 10 days before the recommendation we did on Saturday. But I think part of the reason why we did what we recommended on Saturday was, one is the inability to control what was brewing with social media and the media because that's create a panic and the panic doesn't help. Then you start getting all kinds of situations. That's one and two is because on the stand that the response in any outbreak or any potential case, is not only relying on the Ministry of Health. If the immigration captures something but we are not informed for example, then it's a more multilayered situation."
"People may be lying to you upon arrival even if you have a stamp or don't have a stamp on your passport. We trying to be just conscious in that regard. We understand that travel bans are not routinely recommended by WHO, we have already cited something for international organizations. It also goes against airport authority regulations because I know we are trying to defend whatever decision we have taken at that level. We hope that it's just a temporary measure."
"We were having an internal discussion if we should expand it because we have people coming from Singapore, from Japan, Hongkong, Belizeans are still traveling but for now it's only mainland China."
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