And switching gears, the borders are back open and Belizeans have been taking full advantage. On Monday, 409 Belizeans visited Mexico, and yesterday, that number rose to 463.
In terms of the western border, on Monday, only 36 Belizeans crossed into Guatemala. That number is significantly lower than at the northern border for several reasons, but the most pressing is that Guatemala requires a negative test to enter, which costs over $150.
And for tourists who want to come in through that border, the cost will increase come February 15th, when the traveler's insurance becomes mandatory. This insurance applies to both land and air tourists, though, and let's just say they're not too happy about it. They've been leaving harsh reviews on a popular travel site named belizing.com, and today, Courtney Menzies took a look at them. Here is that story.
Both the northern and the western borders have been open for three days and, while at first Belizeans were a bit hesitant to cross, the numbers have steadily increased. According to the minister, Anthony Mahler, approximately 1,200 Belizeans used the borders on Monday and roughly 1,500 yesterday.
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"We had a constant flow of people passing the borders both ways, in both borders, and I think all the departments are working to ensure that it is a seamless effort. There's going to be some hiccups here and there and we're working through those and hopeful in the next couple of weeks we have seen less process as people move back and forth to Mexico and Guatemala."
But there isn't as much movement through the western border because, unlike Mexico, Guatemala requires a negative test, which costs about $165. And, to them, it's only fair because, well, Belize also requires a $100 test to enter. But the minister indicated that there might be a change coming next week.
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Hopefully we could do away with all these things pretty soon. We had an intense discussion in Cabinet yesterday in terms of the way forward, living with COVID, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness should bring a paper next week to the Cabinet to lay out the protocols or requirements that we would need as we continue to open up the economy."
Courtney Menzies:
"We know that a lot of Guatemala children, they have to come to Belize everyday to go to school."
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"About 300 of them."
Courtney Menzies:
"Is there exception for them so that they don't have to pay for the test?"
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"We're looking at that as well."
But while they're looking at the requirements, one thing that won't change is the traveler's insurance. It was launched yesterday and, by the looks of these comments, potential tourists aren't taking the news too well.
One person, Bill F, wrote, quote, "It looks like I'll be using my boat in Florida a lot more again and start learning Spanish again so I can go see some other great places in Central America and [to] hell with Belize and their stupid restrictions." End quote.
Another traveler, Jarrod B, said quote, "Yup I think this is my final straw, going to cancel my vacation now. Spending my hard earned time and money for entry test, exit test, curfews, have to wear mask when in public for 9 days or be ticketed, now travel insurance? Think I'll take my 9 nights to Florida where I do not have to do anything to spend my money." End quote.
And most of the other comments follow this trend - with potential tourists saying they will cancel their trips to Belize. One person calculated that the entry fee is 20 US dollars, COVID test is 50 US dollars, ferry fees are 120 US dollars, and 18 more US dollars for the insurance - along with the cost of gold standard hotels.
There are few who agree with the insurance and some who have questions, but for the most part, it's not looking good. However, the minister insisted that they won't be budging on that front when we spoke to him on February 2nd.
Courtney Menzies:
"But our competition in the region, they're opening up more, so don't you think that puts Belize back like people might not want to come here as much?"
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"What do you mean by opening up?"
Courtney Menzies:
"Like Costa Rica is saying you only need a vaccination, you don't need a test or any of that."
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"And we'll get there, we are in constant communication with the Ministry of Health but there are many, many countries around this world that do require insurance to go in and that is still a reality. I speak to ministers who still have that requirement as a part of the protocols for entering that country."
Courtney Menzies:
"Some of those hotels are saying that bookings are being cancelled or sold because there is no portal available yet, because it's something come in on the 15th, I believe, the insurance, but there's no portals, there's no structure, there's nothing to tell the tourists what to do so now they're cancelling their bookings."
Hon. Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism:
"I don't think agree with that, I really don't agree. If that is the case, then we'll have to talk to those properties, but as I understand it, the portal should be up by early next week so well in advance of the February 15th launch date."
And we'll just have to wait and see if mass cancellations do become a problem in a time when tourism is still rebounding.
Notably, the insurance isn't mandatory for cruise tourists. Also, while it is health insurance related specifically to the pandemic - there is no stated time frame for how long it will be in effect - which is consequential since countries like the UK are now saying the pandemic stage for them is basically over.
