With the viability of vaccine passports a subject of intense debate around the world, including in Canada where the prime minister mused vaguely about the issue on Friday, tiny Belize has taken a first step and declared that travellers showing proof of COVID-19 immunization are no longer required to present a negative PRC test result for entry.

The new health order, now in effect, states that travellers who enter Belize through the airport may present a COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card as proof that the vaccine has been administered at least two weeks prior to arrival and in lieu of a PCR test result.

Non-vaccinated travellers are still required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 96 hours of travel or a negative rapid Antigen test taken within 48 hours of travel to Belize. If passengers fail to present a negative PCR or antigen test, one will be performed at the airport at the traveller’s expense of US$50.

Additionally, Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness has expanded testing to facilitate all persons departing from Belize for travel to countries that require a negative test result for entry.

The decision to ease the restriction on travellers who have received the COVID vaccine has been facilitated by the reduction in daily new cases across the country. Belize has been very successful in its efforts to control the transmission of COVID-19 over the past few weeks with less than 100 active cases country-wide and the numbers have been consistently decreasing.

As Belize’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign rolls out throughout the country, frontline tourism stakeholders will be among those receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine during the early stages of the campaign.

Moreover, Belize – second smallest country in central America – has the lowest population density for the region, and is known for its forests, beaches, and wide-open spaces.

Tourism officials believe the vaccination of the tourism sector, in conjunction with the ongoing implementation of enhanced health and safety protocols, and the receipt of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp will convey to the world that Belize is a safe and viable tourism destination.