Honduras: Officials to enforce amended COVID-19-related curfew through March 11 and lift the order March 12-16 /update 40

Event

As of March 8, authorities in Honduras have scaled back the nightly COVID-19-related curfew by one hour to 2200-0500 and extended the order through March 11. Officials will thereafter lift all movement restrictions March 12-16 to allow for free movement during political parties' internal primary elections, which take place March 14. The primaries precede the general elections scheduled for November. These measures will also apply to the departments of Santa Barbara, Atlantida, Yoro, and Cortes, which were previously under enhanced restrictions. Nationally, senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities will continue to have special access to authorized commercial establishments 0700-0900 and banks 0900-1000 depending on the last digit of their official identification.

Officials will continue to strictly enforce health, sanitization, and other operating protocols at commercial establishments regardless of the curfew. All banks, supermarkets, shopping centers, and shops nationwide must remain limited to a 50-percent operating capacity. Authorized businesses must ensure that customers have covered their mouths and noses, use hand sanitizer, and practice social distancing. All persons are required to wear protective facemasks in public. Social gatherings are to be limited to no more than 10 people. Bars, discotheques, movie theaters, gyms, and convention centers are required to remain closed; several other establishments that encourage large group gatherings also remain closed.

International Travel
Authorities have reopened the country's airports and land border crossings to international travel following an extended closure but are enforcing enhanced entry requirements for all travelers. All travelers must present a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure for Honduras and a completed pre-arrival (prechequeo) travel form. Passengers departing via the land borders are also required to complete the online prechequeo form. Travelers may be subjected to additional COVID-19 testing upon arrival. The use of a facemask is required at all times while traveling.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, 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. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of Honduras - COVID-19 (Spanish)
National Police of Honduras (Spanish)
National Institute of Migration - Pre-check in Form (Spanish)