Now, most of those arriving will get a COVID rapid test - which should take 20 to 25 minutes to process.
For returning Belizeans who do not have a PCR test coming out of the US, they will take a rapid test at the PGIA. Once that is negative they will be allowed to go home to do a 7 to 10 day quarantine. Tourists who do not have a negative PCR test, will also take a rapid test, and, if that's negative, they will be allowed to move on to their accommodations - which must be an approved gold standard hotel.
So, there's a lot riding on those rapid tests, and yesterday on Ask The Experts, the DHS discussed the testing and validation of those tests:
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, DHS
"Rapid test process the SD Biosensor was used in August Pine Ridge last week Wednesday and that same day is when we were actually doing the validation of a third rapid test and that validation process has not been completed. It should be completed later today or tomorrow. The rapid test were also used on the first two flights that arrived Friday, the 20 plus passengers that arrived all of them were negative upon arrival."
