So, the virus may have appeared on the island from earlier in the month - and it may have come across from Orange Walk. And reports say that as more than 6 persons on the island are being watched closely for possible COVID symptoms. Of course, we won't know if there are any more positives until test results are released tomorrow, but the swirl of sickness and speculation has shaken San Pedro. We are told that everyone is wearing a mask, and as many as 40 businesses shut down and sanitised today - including the Scotiabank branch. A release from SCOTIA says the branch has temporarily closed to facilitate a deep cleaning and sanitisation process. The release adds, that the measures were taken after a number of staff members started exhibiting flu - like symptoms. They are now being treated and evaluated.
So, will there be another island lockdown - which the PM threatened yesterday? And will it be preceded by another island exodus? That's what Cherisse Halsall went to the water taxi terminal in Belize city to check on today:
There were long lines to get off San Pedro again this morning. As rumors of community spread coupled with swabbing of over 60 persons raised anxiety levels both on and off the island.
But when we visited the water taxi terminal in the City the people getting off the boat didn't seem that concerned.
San Pedro resident
"Well right now it's kind of calm everybody is taking it with a bit of caution right now but for right now everybody is just waiting for the outcome of what Dean Barrow is doing."
Cherisse Halsall:
"We're hearing that they're testing several Scotia Bank employees this morning, how does that make you feel as someone who has trafficked within the village?"
San Pedro resident
"Well it's kind of alarming because at the end of the day it's our loves in jeopardy but at the end of the day everything, we just have to pray and hope that everything comes out for the best."
Cordelia Gonzalez, Recently Returned from San Pedro
"I heard all about what was going on but we have been very careful the whole time. We have been wearing masks and keep sanitizing. I keep my sanitizer right here so I've been very careful and just stayed and enjoyed ourselves fortunately yesterday in the hotel where we were there was nobody so we were able to swim. Three of us just swam and had a good time there. Went to eat, we were careful, just took it off to eat, you know, and I'm back home thank god trying to reach before there are any changes and they have to close the place."
Douglas Curry, Recently Returned from Caye Caulker
"Came from Caye Caulker, San Pedro express, everything's just fine. I understand there's a new case. Wear your mask just don't cough in my face we'll be okay."
Winston Garbutt, Captain, San Pedro Express
"People aren't panicking right now but everyone's aware of what's happening out there and everyone's following the proper procedure now, wearing the mask and keeping social distancing and also with our company what we do is sanitize the boats as we do a run everyone comes off, we sanitize at each run."
Taysa Braggs, Recently returned from San Pedro
"I really didn't know I didn't do too much mingling, we stayed in our own condo, we kinda stayed at the pool there - making sure that we didn't go out and mingle alot, just ordered food and have food come in. We just took our precautions. Yesterday I heard that the Prime Minister was very concern about San Pedro and that he felt like if he had to shut it down that he would to keep everyone safe, so that was like the comment that I knew I had to leave the next day, because I did not know whether or not they were shut San Pedro and I am over here in Belize City. Everybody trying to get to the ferry so that they could get home not knowing whether or not the country was going to be shut down ir if it was going to be shut down, so people were very concern about getting back to their district to make sure that they get home in time."
And while the government hasn't locked down San Pedro, or declared an island specific state of emergency, the Director of Health Services says that for those trying to escape the island may find nowhere to run to.
Dr. Marvin Manzanero
"But the other concern is, people wanted to leave the island, but I would ask, to go where? What happens if today we say Orange has it, where you gonna run to? Tomorrow we say Corozal, and this case is in San Pedro, we're following cases in Placencia, there's also potential link to a construction site in San Pedro that has workers from Orange Walk, so you might be running to where the problem originated, so...that's why I said, I don't know if an SOE is the answer."
"I think we need to start internalizing where we're going to run to, and if these people are ill and they know they have been in contact, they should be coming up to health and saying this is what has happened, "I am sick," rather than just hopping on a boat and going to hide in a given village. What are we going to hide away from? Go back and infect the family?"
Email
Print