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We note that the rules do have the force of law and were made by the Quarantine Authority of Belize. Notably, under these new rules, the number of persons on a bus is no longer limited to 25 or less, the regulations say, quote, “Notwithstanding the restriction and limitation on public gathering, the provision of public transportation by bus is limited to the seating capacity of  the bus.â€￾ End quote. And, also notably, when we visited the bus terminal this evening, the new measures were not in effect. Those at the bus station tell us it will go into effect tomorrow when they will have water and soap for passengers to hand wash. 

But, like we said, if you’re talking about relaxing rules for the number of persons allowed on a bus, clearly you’re not talking about a national quarantine, and this evening, the heading on the release was changed to say, “Government of Belize Enacts Safety Measures.â€￾

But that news hadn’t reached the street yet when we went out to gauge public sentiment. It was just a few minutes after the release of the screaming headline about a “national quarantine.â€￾ 

And those Cherisse Halsall spoke to on the street seemed, either clueless, unfazed or resigned to any COVID measure:

The public safety measures also say that the Quarantine Authority may by Notice published in the Gazette, declare the closure of any market or other public place.