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The BEL executives also announced this afternoon that the company is prepared to allow an extended grace period on bills to Belizeans devastated by COVID-19.  But, they say that it has to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

They explained how the relief to their customers will work for those who truly need it:

Sean Fuller - GM, Comm and Retail Services BEL
"We all know we have customers who have been laid off, we have some customers that are really in a situation that they really cannot pay their bill currently because they don't have a job. As Ms. Sampson mentioned, we are prepared to work with these customers. If they contact us, we will look at each case and determine whether or not it is in fact a legitimate case. We've had cases where customers whom we know can pay their bills have been advocating for not paying their bills because of this issue. So, as Ms. Sampson mentioned we are really going to be looking at our customers and there specific needs to determine how best we can assist our customers who cannot simply afford to pay today, to extend that payment requirement to a later date. But we have to make sure we do our due diligence because it is very important that we try and collect as much as we can from the people that can really afford to pay. We that have our jobs, pay your bills. We can afford to pay our bills. Let's not burden the rest of the country by not paying our bills when you can afford it; and us not being able to meet our very basic obligation of paying our independent power producers. We have to make sure we do this on a case by case basis. Customers must call us, call our toll free number at any time and speak to our representatives to make such arrangements if necessary. But the message must go out again. It has to be something that is absolutely necessary. The people that can pay their bills must pay their bills for us to be able to maintain electricity for the entire country."