Bolivia: Authorities ease some COVID-19 restrictions October 1 /update 18

Event

Bolivian authorities have eased restrictions related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic from Thursday, October 1, as the country continues to facilitate economic resumption. As of Thursday, the nationwide nighttime curfew has been reduced and will be in effect between midnight and 05:00 (local time) seven days a week. Business and other activities will be allowed at any time outside the curfew hours. This phase of easing of restrictions is expected to remain in place until the end of the month. Social distancing measures and the requirement to wear face coverings in public spaces remain in place.

Following a months-long closure, international commercial flights have resumed with all countries without airspace restrictions since September 1. Arriving passengers are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous seven days prior to arrival. Land, river, and lake borders remain closed until further notice.

As of Thursday, there have been 135,311 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bolivia with 7965 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.