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Belize's borders have been re-opened to resident Belizeans returning from the many parts fo the world where they have been stuck since the borders closed in late March.  Among the first to return are 10 Shipyard Mennonites who are under quarantine at a designated hotel, the Lamanai Inn in the Orange Walk District. 

But, among the very first to come in also a pair of Guatemalan diplomats.  They arrived at the western border today - and were reportedly escorted by the Health officials.  Our reports are they were not subjected to swabbing, and were then sent to self quarantine at their embassy in Belize City.

Indeed, under the regulations in the latest Statutory Instrument, they are allowed to enter Belize.  It says, quote, "No person will be allowed to enter Belize through any port of entry unless.

• (f) You are foreign diplomat resident in, and accredited to Belize..  

For these persons, the regulations says "A person allowed entry shall be put into immediate mandatory quarantine or self-isolation at the discretion of the Quarantine Authority."  

Well, the CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Annie Burns  says the treatment is based on reciprocity because Belize also has diplomats that need to return to posts abroad.  As for the self quarantine and the absence of swabbing, she says that these are discretionary decisions by the Minister of Health.  She says the Guatemalans will be expected to quarantine in their homes and be check up on by the ministry of health. She added that not everyone is swabbed when they come in; they're screened and they are interviewed to determine if a swab is necessarY. And in this case, reportedly it was not.