Director of Health Services reportedly tenders his resignation

Reliable reports reaching our newsroom are that the Director of Health Services Dr Marvin Manzanero has tendered his resignation. Love News spoke with Dr Manzanero yesterday asking him about the amended SIs that now makes it mandatory for him to submit names and particulars of all Covid-19 patients to the Ministry of National Security. According to the good doctor he was unaware of the amendments and had confirmed later that he had only heard of it when Love News asked him about the new policy. Indications are that Dr Manzanero may have had issues surrounding the amendment. We are following this story awaiting a confirmation from him.

UPDATE: A senior member in the UDP has indicated that an official resignation has not been submitted as yet. He noted that the subject came up in the NOC meeting currently underway and it is being discussed. We have reached out to Dr Manzanero but he has responded saying he is in a meeting with the NOC. Our newsroom is following this story

UPDATE 2:55PM – Love News has been following reports of the resignation of the DHS. Our source indicates that the resignation was rescinded and the 3rd amendment to the SI issued yesterday has been reviewed. The Government of Belize, however, has issued a release referring to the resignation as a false report. Below is the release in its entirety.

National Oversight Committee Clarifies Reports on Resignation of the DHS
Belmopan. September 23, 2020. 2:30 p.m.

The National Oversight Committee (NOC) hereby clarifies that Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services, has not tendered his resignation. The information currently being circulated by various news outlets is false.
The NOC did have a discussion with Dr. Manzanero regarding the most recent statutory instrument. It was agreed to recommend to Cabinet an alternative way of dealing with the issue of COVID-19 positive persons who break quarantine and the law.
Ends