Belize is postponing what had been a planned tourism reopening on Aug. 15, destination officials confirmed. 

Citing an increase in COVID-19 cases, the Belize Tourism Board said it was “necessary to delay” the reopening of Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport. 

The country has not yet announced a new date. 

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the move had come “in an overabundance of caution,” folloiwng a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in three districts in the country. 

“Ensuring that travelers have reliable, trustworthy, and useful information continues to be a top priority so they can make the best decisions for their health and safety when choosing a vacation destination,” the Belize Tourist Board said in a statement. 

“As a country, we are committed to enhancing our tourism product to be able to welcome back visitors to our shores in a safe and responsible manner. A new date for re-opening has not yet been established, and will be determined based on further developments in country,” the Belize Tourist Board said. 

Belize is continuing its weekly repatriation flights for Belizean nationals abroad, however. 

More than a dozen Caribbean destinations have reopened their borders for tourism in some form. 

For more, visit the Belize Tourist Board. 

— CJ