7 News Belize

First Commercial Repatriation Flight Arrives
posted (June 5, 2020)
Now that one cruise ship "repatriate" has appeared as case 19, many will look suspiciously on the first Belizeans to be repatriated via commercial flight from the U.S. today.

They came in this morning and Cherisse Halsall was at the airport just after touch down. Here's what she saw:

This is the Ministry of Health van on the tarmac at the PGIA. It arrived at 11:00 to pick up the 7 Belizeans who became - the first to be repatriated on a commercial flight; this United Flight came out of Houston.

Foreign Affairs CEO Annie Burns is coordinating the repatriation:

H.E. Annie Burns, CEO - Foreign Affairs
"For the flight this morning there was small group that came in and we are hoping that there will be a much larger group that comes in the week coming."

The re-patriates had to follow strict measures in handling their baggage and keeping social distance.

Health officers were on hand - in PEP's - to screen them fully. After that, they were whisked away to the Biltmore for their 14 day quarantine:

H.E. Annie Burns, CEO - Foreign Affairs
"This is an extremely delicate time for Belize, it could make all the difference in the lives of so many people, so we need to make sure that each individual coming in takes up their responsibility and takes it seriously."

And while the Belizeans left, so did the American citizens who were stranded in Belize; they went back to Houston.

Also returning to Belize this morning was U.S. chargé d'affaires Affairs, Keith Gilges who today resumed his role with the U.S. Embassy Belmopan.

Gilges departed the country one month ago to receive non-life-threatening but urgent medical care, unrelated to COVID-19. He is now expected to be self quarantined at the US Embassy in Belmopan - which is the standard courtesy extended to diplomats under the state of emergency regulations.

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