And, in other COVID related news, the Cabinet brief reports that 167,596 persons or 38.9 percent of the population had received at least one dose of the vaccine. This is 18,168 more persons than last week's numbers. And, at the end of August 2021, 69,924 persons or 16.2 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, 8,357 more than last week.
And for the Pfizer vaccines, 10,638 Belizeans between the ages of 12 to 17 have received their first shot.
Also, Cabinet is increasing the penalty for spreading false news. A bill will be tabled on Friday in the House to increase it from a penalty of up to $300 or imprisonment of up to six months, to $3000 or imprisonment of up to six months in the first instance.
Also, Cabinet approved an extension of the Kolbe Foundation's Management contract for the Hattieville Prison.
And, Cabinet asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise to instruct the Bureau of Standards to investigate the issue of price gouging at stores across Belize. We've heard that one before from a previous government - we'll see where it goes this time.
