Belmopan. January 5, 2022. 3:40 p.m.
Since the Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) announced the epidemiological identification of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Belize, the ministry has updated its national guidelines on the isolation period for COVID positive persons in accordance with the World Health Organization and other globally recommended practices.
The isolation period for persons who test positive has been reduced from 14 days to 10 days for the public, and from 10 days to seven days for healthcare workers and other essential workers, starting from the screening date on which the person tested positive.
This will only apply for the following:
– Individuals who are asymptomatic
– Individuals having passed three consecutive days having no symptoms
– Individuals who do not need to be on specific recovery medication (i.e. fever medication)
Persons who test positive and continue to have moderate to severe symptoms after the newly implemented isolation period will need an extension of isolation time, to be determined by a medical officer.
Individuals who may require additional tests for clearance can access rapid tests on days seven and 10 at no additional cost.
These new measures have been taken to minimize essential time loss in those who are asymptomatic or experiencing a mild form of the disease. The public, specifically employers, managers and supervisors, are advised that only a medical officer may determine isolation periods for individual positive cases.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness continues to encourage persons to follow all preventive public health and social measures to reduce spread to those most at risk.
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