List of Essential Services and Establishments Approved for Operation under State of Emergency
Michael Peyrefitte
Essential services include national security. border management and immigration, customs, cabinet and national assembly members, medical and auxiliary services, vet services, ambulance services, public utility workers, private security services, social workers for emergencies, sanitation workers, productive sector, agricultural workers and media workers. So, what are some of the types of establishments permitted to conduct business during non-curfew hours and whose services and products you may be able to access? It’s a long list and Minister Michael Peyrefitte says that some small changes have been made to it. Here’s a look at some of those businesses included.
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General
“Between five and seven, these are the people who can operate; five and seven. You notice we neva say five and eight you know. You lock up your shop and you have time to go home for eight so you are inside. Fuel stations; fuel depot; LPG suppliers; LPS depots; LPG distributors can open from five to seven. Transportation providers; buses can only operate between five and seven and remember you cannot cross your locality for kicks. It must be for purpose. It must be that you are an essential worker because that is where your job s. Bakeries and tortilla factories from five to seven. Agro-processors; food and carbonated and other beverage manufacturers from five to seven; agriculture and aquaculture farms; fishermen – people who fish for a living. Construction and construction sites, private and commercial. Waste disposal and sanitation companies and auxiliary personnel. Pharmacies; convenience stores; food stores, supermarkets; meat shops; butchers; distributors and factories of carbonated and other beverages including spirits; excluding potable water and food. Financial institutions including banks, money lending institutions, credit unions, money transfer, pawn shops. These people who need tech people who need tech people to go in, bring them in during the day. Markets, service of drive thru facility only at restaurants, saloons and other diner establishments. We want to make sure people are provided with food that they like and for what they want to do. International delivery services by international delivery providers such as DHL; Federal express, Amerijet. Domestic delivery services restricted to meals, groceries, medical supplies and equipment. Mechanic shops, garages and auto stores; store front outlets for essential businesses; public utilities companies; water; light and telecommunications. Once the GG signs these amendments today then places like Simon Quan and Mirab that are open right now are going to be in violation of the law. Hardware stores with delivery services only to approved businesses are allowed to operate under these regulations. If you are a hardware store you have to close down and your customers are only able to buy if you can deliver to your customers. So, you can’t have an open store front. Wholesalers of goods and services directed related to an approved business allowed to operate under these regulations; if you provide to pharmacy; convenience store; financial institutions; hotels; markets; FEDEX, bakeries, etc…the wholesalers shall operate to only supply to an approved business to operate under these regulations by delivery only by such wholesaler and you shall not be open for business to the general public. No storefront open.”
The list also includes food mills that can work for twenty-four hours, but workers are not allowed to be out in public or to commute to work during the curfew hours. The Ports are also open for twenty-four hours. Majority of the government offices are open from nine to four during the week. Minister Peyrefitte also noted that some special arrangements were made to include the Belize Zoo on this list to ensure that the animals are safeguarded, and the property is maintained.
