July, 2020: Good news from our good friends Craig and Karen Hayes at Turneffe Flats Lodge in Belize – Read Craig’s letter below.
Visiting Belize will require several common-sense steps. A corner-stone of the reopening plan is testing. For immediate entry through the airport, guests will need to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of the beginning of their trip. Travelers arriving without a test result will be tested at the airport, and a negative test will also allow immediate entry. We strongly recommend that all of our guests arrive with a negative test result. With some planning, this can easily be done, and our Reservation Office will assist with all details.
Pro-active contact tracing will be another key part of the reopening plan. Guests will need to download a Contact Tracing App and enter pertinent health information, their Gold Standard Resort destination (Turneffe Flats), and their Covid-19 test result. This app will trace movements in Belize, providing invaluable contact tracing information should someone become symptomatic or test positive. Although some may be considered the app somewhat intrusive, it will only trace movements while in Belize.
It’s important to note that we do not know what the on-site cost might be for the COVID -19 test on arrival into Belize, or if there is even a fee associated with it. Like Craig, Frontiers recommends that anyone traveling to Belize take a proactive approach and get the test done before departure from the US to avoid any issues upon arrival.
Letter from Craig Hayes
We are excited to announce that Belize’s Philip Goldson International Airport will reopen Saturday, August 15. To date, Belize has done an incredible job controlling COVID-19 with no active COVID-19 cases in the entire country. The only positive COVID tests over the past two months have related to repatriated cruise ship employees, all of whom have immediately been quarantined.
Formulating a safe and functional plan to reopen Belize’s tourism has been a laborious process. A robust plan to ensure Belize remains COVID-free and visitors are fully protected is now in place. With no active COVID-19 cases and a strong reopening plan, Belize is surely one of the World’s safest locations to visit. Of course, Turneffe Flats is an ideal location for social distancing.
As part of the reopening plan, the Belize Tourism Board has introduced the Gold Standard Program for resorts allowing only all-inclusive resorts who meet a rigid set of standards to accept guests. Turneffe Flats has been a leader in the reopening process, and we will be one of the first such-recognized resorts. From the time of your arrival to boarding your departing flight, we will ensure that your safety and enjoyment are our top priority.
Visiting Belize will require several common-sense steps. A corner-stone of the reopening plan is testing. For immediate entry through the airport, guests will need to produce a negative Covid-19 PCR test result obtained within 72 hours of the beginning of their trip. Travelers arriving without a test result will be tested at the airport, and a negative test will also allow immediate entry. We strongly recommend that ALL of our guests arrive with a negative test result. With some planning, this can easily be done, and our Reservation Office will assist with all details.
Pro-active contact tracing will be another key part of the reopening plan. Guests will need to download a Contact Tracing App and enter pertinent health information, their Gold Standard Resort destination (Turneffe Flats), and their Covid-19 test result. This App will trace movements in Belize, providing invaluable contact tracing information should someone become symptomatic or test positive. Although some may be considered the App somewhat intrusive, it will only trace movements while in Belize.
Additionally, Turneffe Flats has instituted an array of measures to ensure that your stay with us is safe and comfortable. We have, for instance, added an outdoor bar area and a variety of other changes to address the new reality. In-room dining will be available for those not comfortable sitting in the dining room.
– Craig Hayes
