Email

Print

But, that repatriation of Guatemalans is going to end of Monday when the airport closes - along with all other borders.  But they will remain open to cargo - and so does the Port of Belize where ships will continue to arrive - and two are expected this weekend.  

But while shipping and cargo operations remain as normal as they can be in the current global climate, the panic mongers just keep at it.  

This morning a panic voice message went viral. It claimed that Belize is in for something serious the shipping from the United States would be halted effective Sunday, March 22nd.

The message goes on to say that no cargo, meaning clothing, groceries, medication etc., would be coming into Belize for the next 3 to 6 months, possibly longer. 

It advised that things are quote “ going to get horrible, people will start rioting when they can’t get food.â€￾ 

That’s dire, but, completely false.  But this morning BTALCO’s managing director Lynn Ross categorically denied the report. According to Ross, the message is utterly false. 

Lynn Ross - Managing Director, BTALCO
"The message that has been sent is false. We have no idea who the person is and we would just like to advise the public that there is no anticipated interruption of shipping services to Belize. It’s very irresponsible because it is creating a situation out there that we don’t need at a time like this we need our Belizean people to be calm. We need everybody to be rational, and you know just work together and share proper information. Seaboard terminals in Miami are open ships are you know on a regular schedule so we really have no idea where information is coming from but we just want the Belizean people to know that it is not true and that we will do whatever it takes to make sure that cargo is received in the country especially at a time like this when you know its really, really, needed so we just want to make sure that everybody is aware that there are no anticipated interruptions no need for panic as far as food shortages or as far as shipping is concerned. We will do whatever we can as far as bringing in the supplies. The only anticipation is if there’s a problem with the stevedores next week because I do know that there is a question about the 21 days so I know that we would have to have a contingency plan if something does happen but other than that it’s going to be business as normal. We do have an obligation to make sure that we’re bringing in the supplies that are needed so as far as shipping goes everything will be as per normal and we just hope that we can get through this. As far as we’re concern we’re here to serve the people of Belize and to make sure that we continue to provide that service as long as we can."

And stevedores are also reacting to the farcical voice message. This afternoon President of the CWU, Mose Hyde condemned it and said possessed of intention to cause unnecessary and widespread panic.