Jazmin Li
Belize's Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) reopened to international travellers on 1 October 2020, with a series of health and safety protocols in place to keep Belizeans and visitors safe. However, in November 2024, the airport was temporarily closed due to a storm. While some travellers expected the airport to reopen on Monday, this was not certain due to a damaged runway.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) |
| Reopening Date | 1st October 2020 |
| COVID-19 Testing Requirements | Negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test no more than 48 hours prior to travel |
| Quarantine Requirements | 14-day quarantine at a government-approved hotel for positive cases |
| Health Screening | Temperature checks and health screenings upon arrival |
| Mobile Application | Belize Health App required to be downloaded before arrival |
| Safe Corridor | Established to ensure health and safety protocols are met by hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses |
| Tourism Phases | Phase 4 as of January 2021, with full reopening of the overnight tourism sector and freedom of movement within the country |
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What You'll Learn
- Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) reopened on 1 October 2020
- All visitors must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
- Arrivals must download the Belize Health App and undergo health screening
- Travellers must stay in Gold Standard-certified hotels and use their transport services
- Belize's land borders with Guatemala and Mexico remain closed
Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) reopened on 1 October 2020
On 1 October 2020, the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) reopened to international travellers. This reopening was part of a "phased reopening" plan, with the airport being the first stage. The next stage was the reopening of government-approved hotels and restaurants under certain hygiene protocols.
To enter the country, travellers were required to download the Belize Health App and undergo a health screening. If travellers tested positive for COVID-19, they were required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a government-approved quarantine hotel. In addition to the health screening, travellers were required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours of arrival in Belize. Those without test results could take a swab test at the airport for $50 and self-isolate at their accommodation until the results were available.
Belize's five-phased Travel Reopening Plan included the implementation of a Safe Corridor to ensure that hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses met enhanced health and safety standards. This "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition was indicated by a "Gold Seal of Approval". The Gold Standard included requirements such as face masks in public places, online check-in/out, contactless payment systems, automated ordering/booking, hand sanitizing stations in public areas, enhanced room cleaning, increased sanitation of public spaces, daily health checks for guests and employees, and designated isolation/quarantine rooms for suspected COVID-19 cases.
Phase 4 of the reopening plan, which began in January 2021, saw the full reopening of the overnight tourism sector and allowed visitors to move freely within the country. However, a curfew was in place between 8 pm and 5 am daily. As of Phase 4, there were still restrictions on the cruise industry, with no set dates for Phase 5.
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All visitors must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival
Belize reopened the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) to international travellers on 1 October 2020. This was part of a "phased reopening" and the start of Phase 3 of the country's five-phased Travel Reopening Plan.
All visitors to Belize must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. This is a requirement for fast-track processing through the Belize International Airport. Children and adults are both subject to this rule. Those who arrive without test results will need to get a swab test at the airport's testing area for $50 and self-isolate at their accommodation until the results are returned. If travellers test positive during their trip, they will be placed in a minimum 14-day quarantine at their hotel, at their own expense.
In addition to the negative PCR test, all visitors must download the Belize Health App onto their mobile device and complete the necessary information no more than 72 hours before arrival. This includes an eight-step application process, after which a unique QR code will be provided. This code must be shown to health authorities at the airport upon arrival. The app can be found in the App Store for Apple users, and for Android users, it can be downloaded from the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) or the Belize Covid-19 website.
It is also mandatory to make reservations with government-approved hotels and tour operators. These hotels must meet the "Gold Standard" and implement strict COVID-19 safety and training protocols, such as requiring face masks in public places and providing hand sanitising stations in public areas.
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Arrivals must download the Belize Health App and undergo health screening
As part of the country's health and safety protocols, all arrivals in Belize must download the Belize Health App and undergo health screening. This includes providing proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 to 96 hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. The Belize Health App is available for download on the App Store for Apple users and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) website for Android users. It can also be downloaded from the Belize COVID-19 website.
After downloading the app, travellers are required to fill out an eight-step application process, including confirming their accommodations and registering their trip details. Once completed, a unique QR code will be provided, which must be presented to the health authorities at the airport upon arrival. This process is mandatory for all travellers and is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of both visitors and locals in Belize.
Upon arrival at the airport, travellers will proceed to the health screening area, where their certified COVID-19 test results will be verified. It is important to note that travellers without test results will need to undergo testing at the airport and self-isolate at their accommodations until the results are available. In the event of a positive test result during their trip, travellers will be placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine at their hotel or a government-approved quarantine facility, at their own expense.
In addition to the health screening and app requirements, Belize has implemented a Safe Corridor program, known as the "Tourism Gold Standard." This program ensures that hotels, resorts, tour operators, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses adhere to strict health and safety protocols. These protocols include measures such as face masks in public places, online check-in and contactless payments, enhanced room cleaning, hand sanitizing stations, and daily health checks for guests and employees.
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Travellers must stay in Gold Standard-certified hotels and use their transport services
The Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize reopened to international travellers on 1 October 2020, with the country officially opening its borders on the same day. This reopening was part of a five-phased plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions. As part of the country's new health and safety protocols, a Safe Corridor was established by implementing a 9-point program, known as the "Tourism Gold Standard" Recognition.
To be certified under the Gold Standard, hotels must require face masks in public places and implement other social-distancing protocols, including online check-in/out, contactless payment systems, and automated ordering/booking. They must also provide hand sanitizing stations in public areas, enhanced room cleaning, and increased sanitation of public spaces and high-touch surfaces. Daily health checks for guests and employees are also mandatory. Additionally, properties must provide round-trip transport service from the airport, access to an on-site restaurant, and a pool or beachfront.
All travellers to Belize must stay in Gold Standard-certified hotels and use their transport services. This is a mandatory requirement for all inbound travellers to the country. Gold Standard-certified hotels have implemented strict protocols for COVID-19 safety and training, ensuring that guests can have peace of mind during their stay. These hotels offer enhanced health and safety standards, including extensive cleaning and sanitation measures.
Upon arrival at the airport, travellers will need to undergo a health screening to verify their certified COVID-19 test results. It is important to note that a negative COVID-19 PCR test result is required within 72 hours of arrival in Belize. People who arrive without test results will need to undergo testing at the airport and self-isolate at their accommodations until the results are available. If a traveller tests positive during their trip, they will be placed in a mandatory 14-day quarantine at their hotel, at their own expense.
To facilitate the health screening process, all travellers must download the Belize Health App and fill out the necessary information no more than 72 hours before their arrival. After completing the application process, a unique QR code will be provided, which must be presented to the health authorities at the airport. This app is available for both Apple and Android users and can be downloaded from the App Store or the Belize Tourism Board website.
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Belize's land borders with Guatemala and Mexico remain closed
Belize's Philip Goldson International Airport reopened to international travellers on 1 October 2020. However, the land borders with Guatemala and Mexico remain closed.
Belize's land borders were closed in late March 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The country planned to reopen its international airport on 15 August 2021 as part of Phase 3 of its Travel Reopening Plan. Belize's land borders were to remain closed until further notice. The reopening of land borders was considered risky due to the high COVID-19 cases in neighbouring countries, with only 1% of tourists coming from Mexico and 13% from Europe via Guatemala.
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) implemented enhanced health and safety protocols for hotels, restaurants, and tour operators to ensure the safety of Belizeans and visitors. These protocols are part of the country's five-phased Travel Reopening Plan, with the reopening of land borders listed as Phase 4, with no confirmed date.
As of May 2024, Belize requires all visitors to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival and download the Belize Health App to facilitate fast-track processing through the airport. Tourists are encouraged to follow safety protocols, including using Gold Standard restaurants, tour sights, gift shops, and certified transportation. Face masks and social distancing are mandatory in public spaces, and public transport operates at a seated-only capacity.
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Frequently asked questions
The Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize reopened on 1 October 2020.
All travellers to Belize must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72-hours of arrival or a rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. Travellers will also proceed through a health screening area at the airport to verify their test results. Those who arrive without test results will need to get a swab test at the airport's testing area and self-isolate at their accommodation until the results are out.
The Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Programme in Belize is a 9-point programme that ensures hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses meet enhanced health and safety standards. Businesses that adhere to all the requirements are given the Gold Seal of Approval.
The Belize Health App is a mandatory mobile application that all travellers to Belize must download and fill out no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. After completing the eight-step application process, a unique QR code will be provided, which must be presented to health authorities at the airport upon arrival.
