7 News Belize

Relaxed State of Emergency Adjustments Coming May 1
posted (April 23, 2020)

So, the limited lockdown continues, so then why, as we reported last night, is the government going back to the house to extend the state of emergency for two months?

Well, as he explained today, that extension will provide for new, more relaxed regulations starting on May first.

Rt.Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister
"The original State of Emergency Proclamation will itself expire on April 30th, 2020. An extension is clearly needed but that can only be done by way of a Resolution of the National Assembly. There will, therefore, be a meeting of the House on Monday coming, and a meeting of the Senate the following day. Those meetings are for the sole purpose of approving the State of Emergency extension, once the extension of the State of Emergency is approved by Parliament, a new SI will be drafted for the signature of the Governor General. The National Oversight Committee is currently being advised by the National Task Force, the economic czars and the Health Team as to further relaxations that the new SI could safely permit. The point is that we are looking at the commencement of a phased, calibrated restart of business and economic activity in Belize. I repeat, that this will have to be a finely balanced exercise, especially since we cannot discount the possibility of a Coronavirus second wave. To underscore that, the National Assembly is being asked for a two-month extension of the State of Emergency; so, there will be an easing of rigor in the new regulations coming into force on May 1st, 2020." 

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