Belize has closed down its borders in the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced.

That means the country’s borders are now closed both to foreign visitors and Belizeans seeking to re-enter the country, he said.

The only exception has been made for those returning from travel for urgent medical attention or some other emergency purpose.

The shutdown, part of a broader state of emergency in Belize, officially began on April 5.

“It is, I readily admit, an extreme move,” Barrow said in a national address. “There is, however, no doubt that it has become necessary as we do everything to head off the swamping of our health system and the serious loss of life that the proliferation of the virus would entail. I, therefore, ask all Belizeans, and particularly those in the diaspora, for their understanding. This is the fight of our lives and I deliberately use the metaphor when I say that Belize must absolutely be placed on a war footing.”

The move will last for at least the next 30 days.

— CJ