A group of former commissioners from the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) is speaking out, raising serious concerns about the final draft of the PCC report submitted to the Prime Minister. In a strongly worded letter, the former commissioners say the document doesn’t reflect the true input of the people. We caught up with the Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Doctor Louis Zabaneh, to get his take. He acknowledged the concerns and said they deserve to be considered to ensure the final draft truly represents the voices of Belizeans. However, Doctor Zabaneh also made it clear that the final decision on the report rests with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, who will ultimately take it to parliament.
Dr Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Constitution Affairs
“Indeed the P.M. has received the final report and I saw in the media about the commissioners coming up with their dissenting views and perspectives. So, I have not had a chance to sit with our people to look at that, but clearly we have to look at all these things. It is critical that we understand the process, how it proceeded and to be able to ensure that our prime minister has a report that we can carry on with the process. At this time I have not had the opportunity to look at that, but that will be done in short time. I think it speaks to our diversity in our country. Instead of seeing it from a negative point of view we should see it as a maturity in our democracy. So it is for us now to be able to, all the time it is a part of the process that the decision will lie with the prime minister and the Cabinet and going through the House of Representatives. So that was always something everybody understood. We want to make sure at that level we get the views of Belizean people. Ultimately that is why it is called the People’s Constitutional Commission.”
Again, while Prime Minister John Briceño and his Cabinet will be able to weigh in on the final draft report, members of Parliament will have the final say. But, that will not be anytime soon, since the P.M. has been granted a twelve-month extension to review the document.
Over the weekend, Digi Park in Belize City came alive with culture, innovation, and international cooperation as the European Union hosted the second edition of EU in the Park. The event transformed the park into a vibrant hub of learning and cultural exchange, showcasing more than twenty EU-funded projects in areas like energy, healthcare, and climate action. It also celebrated over thirty years of partnership between the EU and Belize, with cultural displays from several EU Member States. The collaboration didn’t end there. On Monday, both sides sat down for a high-level dialogue, reaffirming their commitment to deeper cooperation. Key topics included Belize’s interest in joining the Schengen visa waiver list and the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, aimed at boosting investment in digital transformation, climate resilience, transport, health, and education.
Tonight, a powerful call to action from Belize’s fishing community. The Belize Flats Fishery Association is turning up the pressure on the government, demanding it honor its promises to protect the country’s fragile marine ecosystems. At the heart of the issue—mangroves, marine life, and the livelihoods that depend on them. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Last month, folks in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, scored a major win. The government stepped in and hit the brakes on the controversial Cayo Rosario development. That stop order came from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing—and for many residents, it felt like a long-overdue victory. Now, this fight isn’t new. Since 2018, the community’s been pushing back hard against plans to build over the waters of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Cayo Rosario, a tiny island in that protected area, is privately owned—and the developer’s been trying to get this project off the ground for nearly a decade. But thanks to constant public pressure, it’s been delay after delay. Still, the Belize Flats Fishery Association says delays aren’t enough. At a press conference this morning, they raised the alarm again, warning that Belize’s mangroves and marine ecosystems are still under serious threat. Dr. Addiel Perez from the Bonefish Tarpon Trust broke it down, explaining just how much is at stake.
Addiel Perez
Dr. Addiel Perez, Bonefish Tarpon Trust
“Studies in Belize have shown that coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystems when there are mangroves and sea grass nearby. This means that the less mangroves, the less sea grass, the less biodiversity there’s in coral reef ecosystems. So this means, right, that the livelihoods that depend on these ecosystems would be adversely and affected in the long term. And with that, of course, the economies that these ecosystems generate.”
Perez claims that over the past decade, San Pedro Ambergris Caye has lost hundreds of acres of land, directly impacting the habitats of surrounding wildlife and contributing to an unsustainable tourism model. Phillip Leslie of the San Pedro Tour Guide Association explained that development projects receive consistent pushback from stakeholders, not because they are against development, but due to the lack of transparency and consultation regarding them.
Phillp Leslie
Phillp Leslie, San Pedro Tour Guide Association
“Environment and development can go hand in hand if you know to manage it right. If you know to plan it. Right now, developers come in and they have this idea, I don’t know where they learned it, where they could come in, take everything down, put in buildings, and then plan. When you can work around that and manage it properly. We have always said this, if Cayo Rosario is privately owned and they want to develop, make plans of development for that island, we are upset because the plans are including outside of the island, which is on the protected area, which is on the conservation zone.”
The Belize Flats Fishery Association maintains that this issue cannot be overlooked any longer and demands immediate action from the government. Janelle Chanona, Vice President of Oceana, explains that when decisions are made without consultation, industry stakeholders like fishermen and tour guides are the first to feel the impact.
Janelle Chanona
Janelle Chanona, Vice President, Oceana Belize
“We are collectively impacted by these decisions, so we should be collectivelyparticipating in these decisions. And unfortunately, when it comes to development, particularly at sea, because you know, we say outta sight outta mind, but it’s also happening terrestrially. But we don’t know about things happening until Mr. Billy drive past somewhere Mike di try go fishing somewhere, Mr. Addiell and, and Mr. Norman they fly over di look dong and see something and then you go investigate. And then it seems like there’s this constant anti-development position. But I think what is clear is that what you’re seeing is this resistance to always being the last to know, because we will be the first fi pay.”
In Belize, the law is clear, any project that could significantly impact the environment must go through an Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA. It’s a process designed to catch potential harm before it happens. But according to local stakeholders, that process is being sidestepped. Phillip Leslie, of the San Pedro Tour Guide Association, is calling for change. He says it’s time to bring the public back into the conversation. For him and others on the front lines, it’s not just about paperwork, it’s about protecting livelihoods, ecosystems, and the future of responsible development.
Phillp Leslie
“When we look at development, a lot of it must include an EIA and part of an EIA says that you should go and talk to the public, do a public consultation. Whereas users get an opportunity to show, listen, this development will affect me. How will I be placed in a way that I am not going to lose? But they don’t do that. And then you end up putting a development and outplace users, we, the users are getting tired of being. Kicked down the lane.”
The BFFA concluded with a call to the government to halt dredging and excavation activities that are taking place on Sandfly Caye, which is a prime spot for many fishermen in the area. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The BFFA maintains that it is against development, but encourages responsible investments and transparent, community-based planning.
A major legal showdown between ASR/BSI and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association wrapped up at the High Court on Friday and the stakes couldn’t be higher. At the center of the case? A fiery dispute over a five-day factory blockade back in December 2021. B.S.I. says the association went too far by blocking deliveries to the factory, claiming the move caused serious disruptions, not just to their operations, but also to Belcogen’s. Now, they’re seeking millions in damages. Over three days, the High Court judge heard arguments from all sides: B.S.I.’s legal team, the cane farmers’ attorneys, and even the Government of Belize. With arguments now closed, the sugar industry is holding its breath, waiting for a ruling that could reshape farmer-factory relations for years to come. And this morning, Agriculture Minister Jose Mai weighed in, sharing his thoughts on what’s at stake.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“I think that the industry needs energy focused in the right direction. So going to court fighting over, quarreling over things that probably do not bring any positive changes to the industry has to change. We cannot continue like that. We cannot continue operating divided. We cannot continue operating when there’s total, complete lack of confidence from both stakeholders, the farmers and the miller. And so, I think that some serious reflection needs to be done on how we can move the industry forward.”
After years of complaints about neglected facilities and limited opportunities for young athletes, Minister of Youth and Sports Anthony Mahler says it’s time for a major reset. Mahler is stepping in with a bold plan to revamp the ministry and restore confidence in its mission. He acknowledges that the road ahead won’t be easy, describing the task as “heavy lifting”—but one he’s ready to take on. We caught up with the minister to get his thoughts on the national budget recently presented by Prime Minister John Briceño, and whether it includes enough funding to support his ambitious goals for youth and sports development.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Youth & Sports
“ My original slogan was change agent. And I believe that I have shown the nation that I’m capable of leading these changes. When we got in, tourism was nothing. We were built it to record levels now and we’re putting in better fundamentals in it and for sustainability and for this organic growth that we need instead of exponential growth and youth transports are going to be the same thing, we come with a level of discipline. We come with a level of focus, we come with a plan to ensure that we meet the needs of this country. And like I said, youth and sports are too important for us not to get it right.”
Reporter
“Do you believe the ministry was given sufficient funds in this year’s budget to complete these goals that you want to accomplish?”
Anthony Mahler
“I believe it’s a start and I believe it’s a good start. And like I said, we will continue restructure, we’ll continue to become more efficient and we will continue to partner, like for example, sports. We should be partnering federations like the Golf Federation to ensure that they have developmental programs and that they have the adequate facilities, that they have the means of, of improving. In the game, just like basketball, just like volleyball, just like cricket. All of these things play a crucial role in the development of Belize.”
It’s been more than sixty-three years since Hurricane Hattie slammed into Belize, leaving a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake. The 1961 storm claimed hundreds of lives and changed the course of the country’s history forever. In the aftermath, Belizeans were forced to rebuild — not just homes, but entire communities. The capital was moved inland from Belize City to Belmopan, and a new village was born: Hattieville, named after the storm, that reshaped the nation. In today’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon visits Hattieville to find out how much residents know about the village’s powerful origin story. Do they remember why it was founded? And how has life in Hattieville evolved over the decades?
Michael Bainton
Michael Bainton, Hattieville Resident
“Everybody mi do move out the city because the city mi bruk up and dat da when Mr. George Price she he mi wa build Hattieville.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
October thirty-first is usually a night of costumes and candy, but in 1961, it became one of the most terrifying days in Belize’s history. That was the day Hurricane Hattie roared ashore, unleashing devastation across the country. More than ten thousand people were left homeless, and the storm’s impact would reshape Belize for generations. Out of that tragedy came Hattieville, a village built as a refuge for those who had lost everything. It was a place to start over, to rebuild not just homes, but hope. Today, Hattieville is still standing strong, pulsing with life and history. For residents like Linval Mejia, who grew up alongside the village, the story of Hattieville isn’t just something in the past, it’s personal. It’s a reminder of resilience, of community, and of how even the darkest days can lead to new beginnings.
Britney Gordon
“How long have you been living in Hattieville?”
Linval Mejia
Linval Mejia, Hattieville Resident
“Fifty-nine years now. I born and grow here.”
Britney Gordon
“And you know the history of how Hattieville get its name?”
Linval Mejia
“Due to Hurricane Hattie. Hurricane Hattie.”
Residents say Hattieville is divided into two parts, the old village and the new village. Mejia was there to see some of these developments occur.
Linval Mejia
“Well first time we came, we were more over the next village. The old village and were on some barracks. Barracks we used to live in, then they decided to come up this side, build the school and build some house.”
While many long-time residents moved to Hattieville following the storm, some decided to relocate for greater opportunities. Danny Myles, who has been living in Hattieville since the 1970’s shares why his mother decided to relocate the family.
Voice of: Danny Myles, Hattieville
“My mom used to work da di sanitorium, through Boom road weh right now da prison. And every day she does have to left we da town and stuff like that. You know how ney landlord go when you can’t pay your rent.”
For Myles’ mother, the distance between work and home was more than just miles, it was a daily struggle. Living far from her child made life even harder in the wake of Hurricane Hattie’s destruction. But hope came through the leadership of George Price, whose post-storm rehabilitation efforts helped families like hers find a fresh start.
Voice of: Danny Myles
“That’s why we move here because my mom see the opportunities and the owning your own place. Working with the government, ih gene with mister, as usual, father of the nation, and since ih da mi wa person di work with government, he grant ah fi mek ih get wa lee piece of land ya and get ih house.”
Hattieville has a population of two thousand one hundred eighty-four residents as of 2022- a number that keeps growing every year. Kenneth Hoare has been living here for about sixteen years and he is happy to see the diversity within his community.
Kenneth Hoare
Kenneth Hoare, Hattieville Resident
“Ney got more people di come in now. Especially from different places. Hattievilleda noh just lone black people. Da mostly that but we got Spanish, Mayan, ih mix.Garifuna, Jamaican, ih mix.”
Hattieville thrives on mutual respect and understanding among residents. Although the Belize Central Prison is located nearby, Hoare doesn’t think that it should affect the public perception of the Hattieville residents.
Kenneth Hoare
“The place really develop ever since the bad history when ney give the place. Even though we live close to the central prison. We noh mek that stop we from do we thing and show the love and spread the love same way to.”
Michael Bainton, a longtime resident of Hattieville, says the village may be small, but its appeal is big. While many still make the daily commute to Belize City for work, Beinton explains that they choose to live in Hattieville for a reason — the peace, the simplicity, and the strong sense of community.
Michael Bainton
“We find out that people di come live da di village weh mi so hated. Because we used to name, ney used to call it Cattleville. We had all kind of lee bad name and quarrelsome people but find now people di run come da Hattieville fi rescue.”
Hattieville was created in the aftermath of a tragedy to provide peace and relief to Belizeans. Now, sixty-three years later, it is still that peace that attracts people to the village. Britney Gordon for News Five.
We turn our attention to the nation’s finances, and the numbers are raising eyebrows. The proposed national budget for this fiscal year has raised concern among economists and politicians alike. At a whopping 1.78 billion dollars, the total expenditure is nearly four hundred million dollars more than what the government expects to collect. That’s a significant deficit—and one that’s not unfamiliar. Belize has historically operated with a budget shortfall, but this year’s gap is drawing sharper scrutiny. Economist Doctor Phillip Castillo says the problem isn’t just the size of the budget, it’s where the money is going. He points to high spending on salaries and non-contributory pensions as key drivers of the deficit. According to Doctor Castillo, trimming these costs could help close the gap. And it’s not just economists sounding the alarm. Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton, voiced her own concerns during an appearance on “Open Your Eyes” on Tuesday. After reviewing the figures, she questioned the sustainability of such a large spending plan. So, what does this mean for you, the taxpayer? And how can the government balance the books without cutting essential services? News Five’s Marion Ali breaks down the numbers and explores the implications in the following report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Belize is planning to spend a whopping $1.78 billion this fiscal year, but nearly half of that will go toward government salaries and pensions. And that, says one local economist, is simply too much. Dr. Phillip Castillo, an economist and lecturer at the University of Belize, says the country can’t afford to keep pouring such a large chunk of its budget into paying public workers and retirees. In an interview, Dr. Castillo pointed out a troubling issue: some people are still getting paid even though they’re not formally employed. He believes the government needs to take a hard look at its payroll and cut off payments to those who shouldn’t be there.
Phillip Castillo
Dr. Phillip Castillo, Economist
“What jumps out at me is the inordinate expenditures on wages and salaries and pensions, Now the way to handle that, meaning that – the unions – they’ve accused basically government of having a host of most workers. That’s a low hanging fruit you could easily ascertain. I’m certain that the government could initiate an investigation to ascertain if there are ghost workers on its payroll. If there are, you certainly want to move them. And you certainly want to prevent them from – to ascertain the process by which ghost workers came on your payroll and then you want to adjust that, legally or otherwise.”
According to Castillo, removing so-called “ghost workers”—people who are still being paid despite not actively working—could significantly reduce the country’s wage bill. And the numbers are no small matter. When he presented the national budget, Prime Minister John Briceño revealed that forty cents of every dollar the government spends goes directly to salaries and pensions. Last year alone, that added up to over half a billion dollars. Castillo says that kind of spending isn’t sustainable.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Government spending on salaries for its estimated fifteen thousand workforce, all teachers and public officers was five hundred and three million dollars with an additional hundred and thirty million dollars spent on pensions and ex-gratia payments. Put it differently, fifty-two cents of government spending goes to salaries and pensions. Forty-three cents on every tax dollar was spent on salaries and pensions.”
According to Castillo, the current pension system is putting heavy strain on the national budget. He says that if the government reforms how pensions are paid out, it could drastically reduce those costs and help chip away at the country’s four hundred-million-dollar deficit.
Dr. Phillip Castillo
“I have always been an advocate for contributory pensions. Belize’s pension scheme is non-contributory, and that makes it unsustainable. You really want to make your pensions scheme contributory, and then not only does that make it sustainable, but by paying contributor pensions, it means that public officers could then advocate for pensions to be tied to some kind of inflation or cost of living adjustments.”
Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton shared that the figures presented in the budget are signs of challenges ahead. She raised a red flag about how the national budget is being spent, pointing out that once the government covers its massive expenses and debt payments, there’s only a small slice of the pie left for the things that really matter, like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“Forty percent is for recurrent expenditure; thirty percent – infrastructure development; eight percent – debt payments; so that’s eighty percent of the budget is gone. There’s twenty percent that should now be divided into areas that concern the Belizean people: education, health, social safety net programs for the most vulnerable in our communities, housing. These things are big things for people who are struggling every single day to put food on the table.”
While the Prime Minister touted an eight-point-two percent growth in GDP, not everyone is buying it. Panton pushed back, saying that kind of economic growth just isn’t visible to the average Belizean struggling with day-to-day costs.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“Where is it? And who has the benefit of that eight-point two percent growth in the G.D.P?”
Paul Lopez
“It’s in the tourism sector – jobs.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“So what happens to the productive sector? What are we going to address the energy crisis that is imminent in this country? What are we doing to prepare for the trade wars and the impact that will have on small economies like Belize? What are we doing to expand our exports to CARICOM and to Mexico and to Taiwan? Where are the New Growth industries and what are we doing and what do we have planned to support these New Growth industries to take root, so we can diversify our economy?”
As far as loans go, Dr Castillo said there’s nothing wrong with borrowing, if it their interest rates are affordable.
Dr. Phillip Castillo
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with borrowing money if you’re borrowing from cheap sources. Then you’re using that money for productive purposes to build your – to enhance your productive capacity. It’s always a challenge if you’re borrowing for recurrent expenditures. I’m not certain if that is being done, but if you’re borrowing for capital expenditures for capital projects, and your sources of financing are fairly low, it’s low-cost financing. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”
Castillo said he anticipates a fiery debate of the budget, and he will be able to weigh both sides of the debate. Marion Ali for News Five.
In the capital city of Belmopan today, fifty Belizean families received the keys to a brighter future, thanks to a major housing initiative by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. The occasion marked the official unveiling of fifty brand-new starter homes in the newly established Highland Estate community. These homes are part of a national effort to provide affordable housing to citizens who have never owned a home. From north to south, families from across the country gathered in Belmopan to celebrate this life-changing moment. For many, it was the first time they could call a house of their own. The joy was palpable as keys were handed over, symbolizing not just shelter, but stability, dignity, and a fresh start. The ministry says this is just the beginning, with more homes planned as part of its ongoing commitment to uplift Belizean families through accessible housing. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us a full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Fifty families in Belize are celebrating a life-changing moment—they now have a place to call home. These brand-new studio houses were built and handed over as part of the government’s Low-Income Housing Program, aimed at helping those most in need. Prime Minister John Briceño was all smiles as he personally handed over the keys, sharing in the joy of the new homeowners.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“When we were handing over one to a family and the little girl is so excited and she wants to get into the house. And her mother is saying wait we have to inaugurate it, we have to cut the ribbon. And she’s so excited and we open the door and she’s the first one that rushes in. And the first thing she did was go to the bathroom where there’s a shower and where there’s a sewage, things that we take for granted. And she is saying ,om we have a shower in Spanish and then we have a sewage we no longer have to be bathing outside. And when you see it outside there was a little zinc thing no top, just zink around that is where they used to take a shower and then and room wit another toilet on the outside. We, those that are blessed and have the opportunity, we take these things for granted. But it’s not. These are the things that really start to make people’s live better and give them a sense of purpose.”
This housing initiative was made possible thanks to a generous boost from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), which partnered with Belize through a grant worth over a million US Dollars, signed in late 2023. Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Lily Li-Wen Hsu, highlighted the project as just one of many joint efforts between the two nations, all aimed at improving the lives of everyday Belizeans.
Lily Li-Wen Hsu
Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador
“I’d like to express my deep appreciation to the MIDH team for their dedication and excellent professional execution of the project. This project also reminds me that people of both our nations share a lot in common. Homeownership is one of them. Our people all desire to own a place we call home I think that’s why the provision of affordable housing is the shared commitment and common policy priority of both our governments.”
Affordable housing isn’t just about having a roof over your head, it’s one of the smartest ways to fight poverty and help families move up the economic ladder. It also plays a key role in improving other areas like healthcare, safety, and education. Since the launch of the starter home project in 2021, hundreds of low-income Belizeans have already seen their lives transformed.
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing
“Our responsibility as government has to focus on the people that are never given that opportunity. It could be because of the color of their skin, it could be because of their religion, it could be because they come from villages. It could be many different cultural reasons why they are not given an opportunity. But we have to look out for them. That is the soul of this program. And I thank you Prime Minister, and I thank you for your government for assisting in elevating the soul of our nation. Because that is what we are fighting for, we are fighting. We are fighting for our Belizean people to be at a certain level where they can compete with anybody in the world. And this is a start.”
The government of Belize commits to continuing efforts to enhance the lives of Belizeans everywhere. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The Belize Police Department is under fire after detaining four schoolboys who were simply on their way to a football match. The boys, all minors, were picked up by patrol officers on Saturday under the State of Emergency (SOE) regulations, which prohibit gatherings of three or more people in designated “hot spots.” But according to reports, the boys had only stopped briefly to chat with a friend when officers swooped in. The case landed before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers, who wasted no time in dismissing the charges. She called it a “victimless offense” and ordered the boys released. Despite the court’s ruling, police officials are standing by their decision. Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado, has defended the officers’ actions, even as public concern mounts over what many see as an overreach of power.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“First of all, police department do acknowledge and recognize the decision fo the court and we do affirm our commitment to upholding the tule of law. My police officers were acting in good faith in accordance with the state of emergency regulation. The gathering that was happening while those individuals were detained was in an area of high risk and the police detention at the time was based on credible information to protect those individuals. Hence the reason I believe they acted in good faith. In moving forward it does require we look at alternative measures to guide those at risk from being harmed.”
Paul Lopez
“Was it about preventing those youths from being harmed?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“There are certain regulations put in place for public safety, all the police were doing was in good faith enforcing the regulation.”
Critics argue the incident highlights the sweeping and potentially harmful impact of the SOE, especially on young people. Human rights advocates are now calling for a review of how these emergency powers are being enforced and whether they’re doing more harm than good.
Heads up, parents and teens, a curfew is in effect under the current State of Emergency, but it applies only to minors. According to police, anyone under eighteen must be off the streets by eight p.m. unless they’re with a parent or guardian. The curfew runs from eight p.m. to six a.m., and officers say they’ll be enforcing it strictly in SOE zones. Inspector Stacy Smith shared more details, reminding families that the curfew is meant to keep young people safe during this tense period.
Inspector Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“The curfew implemented in the state of emergency is only in relation to minors. So it is not applicable to other persons and only in relation to minors who are unaccompanied. Though we are under a period of state of emergency, it is always important that we know that whatever limits we put on people; s constitutional rights it is only to the extent that it is necessary. If it is not deemed necessary it is not something recommended and will not be implemented. So there is no curfew, because while we deem that the situation has reached a critical level, we believe the efforts we can undertake can be realized within the ambits of those provision in the SOE.”
Reporter
“A basketball game will occur on Friday and run up to midnight.”
Inspector Stacy Smith
“Certainly, even outside of the SOE, it is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that whenever there are minors out on the street they are accompanied by a very responsible adult. So if an SOE is not in place it is expected that adults will accompany those minors.”
So, if you’re a minor, or have one at home, make sure you’re indoors by nightfall, or accompanied by an adult if you need to be out.
