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Belize Returning To Normal Life With Latest Rollback
posted (June 1, 2020)
Belizeans were breathing several sighs of relief this morning as several remaining state of emergency regulations were lifted. And this morning when we woke up it was with the knowledge that we were free to go to the gym, grab lunch at our favourite indoor restaurant, and even buy several pieces of our lucky numbers. True enough, in the middle of what was wave one, and what could be wave two Belizeans are getting back to some sense of normalcy. Cherisse Halsall reports.

Over the weekend Attorney General Mike Peyfitte stopped by Ask the Experts clad in his '1 Peyrefitte face mask' to explain the lifting of more state of emergency measures. But as usual, the AG prefaced relaxations with a rebuke.

Micheal Peyrefitte, Attorney General
"We are not yet in a free for all. We are not yet fully open and eventhough we are allowed to do more things, would like to reiterate that not because you could do it, you shouda do it."

But this morning's "could" definitely meant should for gym buffs who were ecstatic to get back on the workout grind.

Jasmine Garcia, Front Desk
"Everybody is excited as you can see and excited to begin gym. We have got some that we are spraying every minute, but every hour I would say to sanitize the place. We have our normal deep cleanings and when you enter we all wear masks and when you workout its optional. We have started to separate the treadmills and ensure that they are 6 feet apart. We also added some treadmills in the other rooms and different equipment we have them space out with all the space that we have."

K'wan Samuels, Fitness Instructor
"We've only been waiting what two and a half months but it feels good to be back. There's no cure for coronavirus, so I'm definitely on board with the preventative measures which would include exercising frequently."

"A little bit of activity every single day definitely helps you to put yourself at less of a risk. It helps to boost your immune system first of all apart from that it just puts you in a better mood."

Another mood booster and an aspect of Belizean life that's been restored are the cheap eats available from Taco vendors. They got the ax early in the lockdown and after nearly two months out of business were happy to be back in action today.

Jose Baeza, Vendor, Baeza's Tacos
"Hopefully it continues like this and the country doesn't get any more of this COVID-19."

Cherisse Halsall:
"So, sanitary measures, has anybody visited you yet to tell you what the sanitary measures are?"

Jose Baeza, Vendor, Baeza's Tacos
"Well we've heard from Peyrefitte that the health inspectors were going to be in all the businesses, but for today, no. I guess there are a lot of tacos vendors and I guess by tomorrow they will visit us. Yes we have all the measures. We have hand sanitizers and hand soap and water, so you can wash your hands and tell everybody to wear their masks and only pick ups and deliveries. This is one of our spots here in southside at the UNO gas station, so customers they can come tomorrow and get their tacos right here and I see a lot of tacos vendors have come out today and I know they are very happy too, because without money it has been a big struggle."

And the struggle has been real for all Belizeans but also making a comeback in today's lifted restrictions is the much missed cultural practice of Boledo. We spoke to one man ready with the post COVID rake.

Cherisse Halsall:
"How does it feel to be able to buy boledo again?"

Mr. Young, Customer, Brad's
"Oh Freedom. I want them to get rid of this mask though. I can't even talk. They just open and this Covid-19 is the hot number for today, so I'm hitting the 19 double up, you gotta get rich today on the 19."

But if Boledo's not your game you can always take your chances with the slot machines, that's right, Casino's are also back but they've had to take much more stringent measures post lockdown as their machines are ripe for the spreading of viruses among their customers many of whom are from vulnerable older portions of the population.

Shamone Bood, Assistant Casino Manager, PRINCESS
"Every so often whenever the customer leave the machine our cleaners go and wipe off the machines and before the casino is open we clean down all the machines and after it is close and in between. We have our 6 feet social distance whenever they enter the casino we have to check their temperature, we have hand sanitizer around the casino as well. So far our customers they are happy to be here."

As life gets back to some semblance of normalcy people are happy to get back to their routines, that means participating in these COVID time no-no's, many of them simple pleasures that enhance quality and enjoyment of life. A vital one being, dining out.

Lee Mark Chang, Owner, Chon Saan Palace
"Our dining room just opened up for the first day in what, two and a half months, We had to do a thorough cleaning of the dining room before it open. We have a sign that says please wait to be seated, with a reservation also of course and when you come we will seat you according to the social distancing guidelines 6 feet apart, so every other table we will have someone if it's necessary."

Cherisse Halsall:
"So what's the fate of the outdoor dining, you keeping it?"

Lee Mark Chang, Owner, Chon Saan Palace
"No, we have our dining room here and as a business we always have to adapt to the times and so outdoor dining was then and today now you could have your nice cool AC and sit down and relax. We have the sanitizers on each table, we also have our park and order service if customers decide to stay in their car and take out, or they could go in the take out to order their food. 5 maximum per time."

Last on that list of regulations are spa services such as massages and waxing deemed too intimate to be considered sanitary until, perhaps, the very end of the pandemic can be celebrated.

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