Faber on Eliminating Middle Man and More Free Testing

And while the Opposition and the Government are working in hand in hand to get constituents vaccinated, they do not see eye to eye on the procurement process for the importation of COVID tests into Belize. Back in January, the Minister of Health passed an S.I prohibiting the importation of COVID tests without first getting the approval of his Ministry. The Opposition has since criticized this as a move to enrich the pockets of political cronies. And while the Prime Minister, in a recent interview, says his administration is seeking ensuring that Belizeans have access to free tests, Faber says the two sites currently opened for this services is not enough.

Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition

“We have set up, as I indicated in my Independence address, a procurement process to enrich people. That is obvious. People are getting rich off testing. People are getting rich off medications and it should never happen in a pandemic. And, it is not only happening in Belize. It is happening worldwide too, but we can where is possible on our front to eliminate the middle people. That ought to be done. I came in to the airport yesterday, and you know there is a mandatory testing coming into the country. The people at the airport and the government officials there were absolutely cordial to me. I was given a complimentary test as a diplomat. But, every single person who was there had to pay a hundred dollars. People will argue that people who travel can pay, but there are circumstances in this country where people need a test and they have to pay a hundred, a hundred and fifty dollars for the test because they can’t get it. Opening up at the civic and the Belmopan Civic are just two locations.”