At the top of the newscast, we gave you a look at the resumption of commercial activity that we saw in 3 major municipalities countrywide today. The noticeable change is due to a relaxation of the State of Emergency Regulations, which were passed in an amendment today. We'll share that with you later on in the news.
But, we pick things up in Belize City on Saturday, before that amendment, when the police shut down a number of businesses in the downtown area.
One of those unauthorized businesses was the popular Mikado's Textile Palace, and that's where we found an interesting dynamic playing out. Since face masks are now mandatory, fashion designers and seamstresses are starting to corner the market by producing stylish designs for sale. But, where do you go to purchase fabric to make masks when the borders are closed, and you can't source it locally?
That's what we tried to find out on Saturday from customers of Mikados when the cops were trying to shut down the store. Daniel Ortiz has that story:
When we arrived on Albert Street on Saturday morning, police teams were already patrolling the commercial area to shut down businesses that didn't have permission to open under the amended State of Emergency regulations.
But, that didn't stop Belize City residents from wanting to buy from those unapproved business places.
And while the cops were busy trying to convince the store owners to close their doors, customers were lining up to get what they believe was important supplies. Mikado's textile Palace was among the businesses being shutdown.
During this rush, we found 2 fashion designers who are now providing an essential service to Belizeans. Masks are now mandatory, and not wearing one in public comes with stiff penalties. These two businesswomen had to rush into Mikado's to get the fabric they needed to keep their mask production enterprise going.
Customer 1,
"Yes, Mr. Jules, I am a fashion designer."
Jules Vasquez
"So, you're a fashion designer, and so, you're making fashionable masks. I see you have a Coco Chanel mask there. So, explain to me. You came to buy."
Customer 1
"More fabric. I live in Belize City now so it's much easier to get materials."
Jules Vasquez
"So, you came to buy fabric for masks, and they're closing."-
Customer 1
"To make more of this, so people could buy."
Jules Vasquez
"How much for one of these?"
Customer 1
"10 dollars."
Jules Vasquez
"$10 nice, so but, they're closing the store."
Customer 1
"Yeah, my fabric is right here, so I'm set, as long as I get mine (laughs)."
Sonya Miller - Fashion Designer
"I came to buy my material."
Jules Vasquez
"For what? Looks like you're going to war."
Sonya Miller
"Because you see this? I make my own masks. I am the young lady that was giving away the masks. I know you all saw me on TV, but now that it's gotten real, I start to put a little $3, just so that I can buy my material. As you can see, I came in here, and I'm spending money to buy the material."
Jules Vasquez
"For masks."
Sonya Miller
"Yes, I gave away - I was making masks in the beginning, and I gave away maybe over 1000 masks."
Jules Vasquez
"I recall."
Sonya Miller
"And all I'm asking them, just so that I can keep buying the materials so that people could have masks, I'm charging them $3 for a mask."
Jules Vasquez
"You're buying in a store that's closed down. They say that this store should not be authorized to open today. Where you do stand on this issue, knowing what you're buying?"
Sonya Miller
"Well, I already bought my stuff. So, I already have plenty here. If you can see the load that I have."
"I already got my stocks, so if they want to close the store, I am telling my customers that I'll have masks by this evening, or tomorrow. So, hit me up on the website."
Jules Vasquez
"You're lucky you came in on time."
Sonya Miller
"I am. So on that, I'm out. (Laughs)."
At 11:14 a.m., the police officers enforced the SOE regulations and closed the business for the rest of the weekend. But, the business-place was opened long enough for these ladies and a few other customers to complete their fabric purchases.
This morning, we found Mikados reopened for business and bustling as usual. Police Commissioner Chester Williams announced on Facebook yesterday that there was a change in the regulations that would allow for all "garment and cosmetics stores" to re-open.
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