The Belize Tax Services Department (BTSD) categorically denies rumours circulating on social media and broadcast media relating to COVID-19 positive cases at the Department.
For the record:
1. As far as the Department is aware there has been no death related to COVID-19 at the Orange Walk Branch.
2. There were two staff members who tested positive for COVID-19 at the Belmopan Branch. Staff were sent home and the office was properly sanitized per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Wellness before staff were required to return to work.
3. There were suspected cases at the Corozal Branch. That office was also properly sanitized despite no positive cases emerging.
4. To date, there have been three staff members who tested positive at the Belize City Headquarters, all from different sections located on/in separate floors and rooms. Of those three staff members, two tested positive while in self-isolation and one while at work. For the latter, all staff members in that section were immediately sent home and the office properly sanitized per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Wellness before staff were required to return to work on 3rd December 2020. It should be noted that there have been no “sick-outs” nor “walkouts” at the Department, nor are there any documented complaints by any officer of symptoms relating to COVID-19 as of the time of this release.
The Department values the health and wellbeing of its officers and continues to ensure that all the requisite COVID-19 protocols are adhered to at all our offices countrywide to ensure the continued provision of the critical service we provide to the public at large.
Message from the Director General BTSD
