Effective midnight, April 14, 2021, a new Statutory Instrument (SI) comes into effect ushering in relaxed curfew hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The new curfew hours being imposed for a period of thirty (30) days are as follows:
- Sunday to Thursday, during the hours of 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. of the following morning;
- Friday and Saturday, during the hours of 12:00 a.m. until 5:00 a.m. of the morning;
- Every minor shall be and remain within the confines of a private property during the hours of 6:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. of the following morning, provided that a minor may move in any public road during the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and during the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday if that minor is accompanied by his parent or guardian.
While discotheques, bars, rum shops, and night clubs remain closed, casinos are allowed to operate provided that they adhere to the following protocols:
Patrons
- All patrons and employees must maintain physical distancing of no less than six feet in or outside the casino or gaming establishment
- All patrons and employees must wear a face mask or other face (nose and mouth) covering
Casino Owner/Operator
- Must ensure that gaming machines are arranged or made available to be used in a way that allows for the social distancing of six feet between patrons of the casino;
- Must install hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and throughout the casino or gaming establishment;
- Must install touchless hand sanitizing dispensers at every gaming table;
- Must limit the seating capacity at gaming tables to observe social distancing;
- Must place signs at the entrance and throughout the casino or gaming establishment, reminding patrons of social distancing protocols and the proper use of a face mask or other face (nose and mouth) covering;
- Must ensure that the casino or gaming establishment is cleaned and sanitized twice a day;
- Must ensure that gaming machines and tables are sanitized after every use;
- Must keep a log of the name, contact number, and temperature check of every patron entering the casino or gaming establishment for at least thirty days; and any other health and safety protocols issued by the Ministry responsible for health.
- Every casino or gaming establishment shall employ a Peace Officer for every floor of that casino or gaming establishment.
A Peace Officer shall:
- be a Justice of the Peace;
- ensure compliance with these Regulations by:
- the owner, operators, and employees of every casino or gaming establishment;
- the proprietor of the land where the casino or gaming establishment is situated;
- every patron entering and inside a casino or gaming establishment.
- be paid an honorarium by the employer for the performance of his/her function as a Peace Officer under these regulations.
It is noted that the Ministry responsible for health or an officer of the security forces may carry out spot checks and inspections of any casino or gaming establishment allowed to operate under this regulation to ensure compliance with these Regulations.
The full Statutory Instrument can be located at the Belize Press Office’s website.
