Belize Reopens to Tourists in 20 Days: What You Need To Know

belize reopens 20 days

Belize is less than three weeks from the third phase of its Travel Reopening Plan, which includes international visitors arriving via the Philip Goldson International Airport starting August 15. Less than 20 days from its reopen date, here’s what you need to know about traveling to Belize and its entry requirements.

Entry Requirements include: 

  • Travelers must book flight, and accommodations with a Gold Standard recognized hotel.
  • Hotel will inform traveler that the Belize Health App must be downloaded.
  • Complete all required information on health app.
  • Travelers are encouraged to take a COVID PCR test within 72 hours of travel to access the ‘fast lane’ on entry.
  • Passengers who do not bring a negative test will be tested at the airport, at a cost to the traveler. 
  • Anyone who tests positive will face a 14-day quarantine, at a cost to the traveler.
  • Passengers who are negative will be allowed access to Belize. If symptomatic, Belize reserves the right for secondary testing. 

A negative COVID-19 Test is required to enter Belize

After the international airport reopens on August 15, all arriving passengers will be required to test negative for COVID-19. Tourists have the option to provide a negative PCR Test, taken within 72 hours of travel, and access the ‘fast lane’ at immigration. Without, tourists have the option to take a rapid test on arrival inside the Philip Goldson International Airport’s newly constructed testing clinic. Each rapid test will be at the traveler’s expense and cost US$50 per person. And yes, even children (passengers under 16 years old) will be required to test negative.

While incoming citizens are encouraged to show a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of travel to Belize, only PCR testing will be available for Belizeans inside the airport’s clinic. Once a tourist tests negative, they may proceed to their Belize accommodation that has been recognized as Gold Standard; once a citizen tests negative, they may proceed to their residence in Belize. However, any person that tests positive will be required to go into mandatory quarantine, at their own expense.

You can test on arrival at the Belize Airport 

COVID19_rapid_test belize airport arrival on entry

At the Belize airport, the rapid test includes two methods; a Rapid Antigen test (nasal swab) and an Antibody IgG/IgM combo test (finger prick blood test). Both take approximately 5 to 15 minutes for the patient to receive their results. However, Belize reserves the right to validate test results with a rapid PCR test; this can take 30 to 85 minutes. For this reason, a prior PCR Test result is recommended to access the ‘fast track’ entry lane.

Testing within the airport is may take up to six (6) hours, which travelers should account for. Similarly, this may result in needing to overnight in Belize City for the first night of your itinerary; that is if a secondary PCR Test is required to validate rapid test results.

Tourists in Belize will be limited to “Safe Corridors”

gold standard program belize

To be included in Belize’s first phase of reopening and be approved to accept tourists in 20 days, hotels will need to be ranked as a ‘Safe Corridor‘. However, this term does not apply as a physical corridor, but rather overnight accommodations with a certificate of recognition under the BTB’s Gold Standard Program. To apply, accommodations will need to have full-service amenities. At minimum, that includes transportation services for airport pick-up and drop-offs, access to a restaurant and bar on property. Plus, pool or beach access and organized tours that limits guests to the property. Additionally, the corridors also confirm that tourists may stay at more than one Gold Standard accommodation during their trip. Otherwise, tourists will not be permitted off-property unless accompanied by the relevant tour operator/accommodation official.

“The hotel will also arrange for the local culture, food and entertainment to be offered on property, thereby still providing that opportunity to experience the destination and ‘live like a local.”

Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism 

Everyone arriving will need to have the Belize Health App, expected to be released soon

coronavirus-phone app

All incoming travelers arriving to the Philip Goldson International Airport in 20 days will need to download the Belize Health App, regardless if tourist or citizen. On the app, you are required to complete the required information prior to boarding the flight to Belize. A QR code with a unique ID number will be returned to you; this will be used for contact tracing while in Belize. Additionally, the app will request daily check-ins as a part of its terms and conditions. The app will be free on every platform, which is expected to be released before Belize reopens in 20 days.

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