MEMO National Emergency Management Organization “Preserving Life and Property”
ADVISORY # 1 (AMENDED VERSION)
POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN
SUNDAY, 30TH AUGUST, 2020 as at 5:00 PM
The National Meteorological Services of Belize and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby advises the general public that a westward-moving tropical wave is located over the eastern Caribbean Sea just west of the Windward Islands. Associated shower and thunderstorm activity continues to show signs of organization, and environmental conditions are expected to gradually become more conducive for development. A tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or two while the system moves westward at about 15 mph across the central Caribbean Sea. Interests in Jamaica, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Yucatan should monitor the progress of this disturbance. * Formation chance through 48 hours…high…70 percent. * Formation chance through 5 days…high…80 percent.
The Met Service and NEMO will continue to monitor this system closely for development. It is possible that the system could start affecting Belize as early as Thursday. The public is advised to remain vigilant and to be prepared for possible storm arrival in accordance with your emergency plan. IF the need arises for you to relocate or evacuate, move early, know which shelter you will go to, and take along your essential necessities required for you to survive. If the islands need to evacuate, an announcement will be made. If people want to voluntarily relocate from the islands to the mainland prior to the announcement of a government coordinated evacuation those individuals most be cleared through MOH San Pedro where all particulars are recorded and checked against MOH COVE)-19 positive/persons quarantine list and a temperature check must be taken prior to departure. DUE TO THE SOE voluntary movement will have to be decided by the National Oversight Committee.
In the event of a government coordinated evacuation the following protocols must be followed, a headcount, particulars recorded, names check against the MOH COVID-19/Quarantine list and a temperature check will be taken prior to departure. If anyone is known to be COVE) positive or under quarantine, the San Pedro Emergency Committee first option is for those individuals to be housed/sheltered on the islands. The workforce on the island is at minimal levels or nonexistent and there are no tourists. If a voluntary relocation and a government coordinated evacuation have to be done, the wearing of masks, social distance on the vessels and buses, and temperature checks will be done prior to departure as we did during the first COVE) 19 wave in San Pedro.
If we have to evacuate COVID-19 positive and they will need shelter certain shelters in all municipalities will be declared COVE)-19 HURRICANE SHELTERS as per a quarantine centre where people will be housed/sheltered. For those individuals who are COVID-19 positive and don’t need shelter but under the SOE would have to be in quarantine or be in self-isolation, the Ministry of Health will have to direct that such is carried out. The names of those persons leaving the islands will be shared between the Ministry of Health San Pedro and the Ministry of Health in the receiving communities; again this was done before during the first COVE) 19 wave in San Pedro.
Once in a shelter everybody must wear a mask, people showing symptoms will be contained in a separate section of the building, hand washing /sanitizing must be done before entering the shelter. Shelter Wardens and Managers will allocate shelter space as social distance must be adhered to and the shelter must be sanitized on a regular basis. COVE) 19 PROTOCOLS and SI 119 of 2020 shall be adhered to. The elderly and persons with underlying health conditions must not occupy the same space with normal persons. Shelter Managers must monitor and correct hygiene and cough /sneeze etiquette not done properly. The Ministry of Health (MOH) staff and or authorized volunteers will conduct daily monitoring of shelters to detect people who are sick. The Shelter Management Team (Public Officers/ Volunteers) MUST wear/use PPE (Masks, Gloves, coverall (optional), thermometers). NEMO’s important contact information is attached.
NEMO will keep the general public updated on any further developments. The public is advised to stay alert. Please adhere to the official release from the National Met Service and NEMO.
…Ends…
ATTACHMENT
NEMO’S IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
The NEMO Emergency Hotline is 936.
NEMO’s Emergency Coordinators can be reached as follows:
a) Corozal. Mr. Ronnie Hernandez at 614 7140;
b) Orange Walk, Mr. Aragon at 615 2264; or Mr. Leiva at 614 7177;
c) Belize District, Mr. Alphius Gillett at 614 4735;
(d) San Pedro, Ms. Vanessa Parham at 614 5865;
e) Belize City, Mr. Al Westby at 614 8604 or Mr. Pollard at 6143244;
f) Belmopan, Ms. Clare Moody at 614 5705; or Mr. Eiley at 624 2365;
g) Cayo, Mr. Al Westby at 6148604 or Mr. Johnny Ramclam at 614 5891;
h) Stann Creek -Coastal- Dangriga including Mullins River to Independence), Mr. Kevin Flores at 604 3632;
i) Stann Creek -Interior- Hummingbird and Southern highway communities, Mr. David Cruz at 614 8514; and for
j) Toledo, Mr. Kenton Parham at 614 2158 or Mr. Dennis Williams at 614 2393
visit: Nemo Updates
