BELIZE CITY — Effective Feb. 15, 2022, travellers heading to Belize must purchase health insurance in order to enter the country.
The announcement comes from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) as part of new safe travel standards for any persons entering the country.
All visitors will be required to apply for Belize Travel Health Insurance, which the BTB says will protect travellers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay.
The cost of the mandatory policy is US$18, with coverage worth up to US$50,000 in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days.
The BTB says the insurance plan will come online under the country’s public health regulations and provide cover for lodging expenses due to quarantine up to US$2,000 (max. US$300/day). Travellers will also be covered for emergency assistance services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions. The policy also covers trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travelers for extended stays.
Here’s the BTB’s list of important entry protocols to remember …
- It is recommended that travellers purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to their travel to Belize; however, purchases can be made upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize’s land borders
- Visitors must purchase Belize Travel Health Insurance and are required to complete the Customs and Immigration form that is provided on all flights to Belize.
- Exempted from this mandatory insurance are Belizean nationals, permanent residents and travellers with QRP or Long Stay status and flight crews.
- All international tourists must book accommodations at a Gold Standard property and present confirmation at immigration.
- All travellers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, entering Belize through the Philip Goldson International Airport from other countries will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test.
- If no test is presented, a COVID-19 test will be administered at the airport for a fee of US$50 per passenger. Children under the age of five years will not be required to present a negative test.
- The Travel Belize app lists certified hotels and tour operators.
