French Guiana: Authorities to institute full weekend curfew effective Jan. 23 due to rising COVID-19 activity /update 20

Event

Authorities in French Guiana plan to institute a full weekend curfew beginning Jan. 23 in response to increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission. For purposes of implementation, the government has divided the affected townships into two zones - Zone 1 includes those currently under a 1900-0500 nightly curfew; Zone 2 consists of municipalities in which a weeknight curfew is already in force between the hours of 0001-0500. In Zone 1, the new weekend lockdown will begin at 1900 each Saturday through 0500 the following Monday; in Zone 2, it will run from 0001 every Sunday through 0500 the following Monday. It remains unclear how long the measure will remain in effect.

The specific affected townships are:

• Zone 1 (1900-0500 curfew): Apatou, Cayenne, Iracoubo, Kourou, Macouria, Mana, Matoury, Montsinery-Tonnegrande, Rémire-Montjoly, Saint-Georges de l’Oyapock, Saint-Laurent du Maroni, and Sinnamary.

• Zone 2 (0001-0500 curfew): Awala-Yalimapo, Camopi, Grand-Santi, Maripasoula, Ouanary, Papaichton, Regina, Roura, Saint-Elie and Saul.

For areas under the 1900-0500 curfew, the sale of alcohol is prohibited 1800-0600 and in areas under the 0001-0500 curfew, it is prohibited 2000-0600. Across all areas, authorities will permit restaurants and diners to remain open until 2100 to allow restaurants to close their establishments and diners to make their way home. Other territory-wide requirements remain unchanged. All individuals must wear protective face coverings whenever in public. Gatherings of more than six people in indoor and outdoor public spaces are prohibited.

With regard to international travel, French Guiana's borders remain closed to most non-resident foreign nationals. Despite the border closure, French citizens, diplomats, healthcare workers, airline crews, and non-resident foreign nationals who are in transit to their home country can enter French Guiana. Travel will only be permitted for compelling designated reasons. There are no restrictions on cargo shipments and humanitarian travel.

All travelers entering the territory, including those traveling to and from metropolitan France, Guadeloupe and Martinique, are required to present a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, as well as a sworn certificate declaring the absence of symptoms. Anyone entering the territory must also complete a 7-day self-isolation period, and perform a PCR test at the end of the self-isolation.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on local disease activity.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e. covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of French Guiana
Travel Certification