Bolivia: Several cities impose movement restrictions May 29 due to COVID-19 activity /update 24

Event

Officials in Bolivia's major cities have announced movement restrictions to stem the spread of COVID-19. The following municipal measures are in effect:

Santa Cruz de la Sierra
Modified and extended movement restrictions in the city will be in effect May 30-June 5. Under the measures, all persons must remain in their homes as part of a citywide lockdown 23:00-05:00 Monday-Saturday and all day on Sundays. Additionally, parties and public events and the consumption of alcohol in public spaces are prohibited.

Cochabamba
Lockdown measures would be in effect throughout the city May 29-30, and a curfew will be in effect 18:00-05:00 Monday-Thursday and 16:00-05:00 Friday.

Oruro
Lockdown measures will be in place on Sundays and holidays, and a 22:00-05:00 curfew will be in effect Mondays-Saturdays. These measures will continue until at least June 15.

Tarija
Lockdown measures will be in place May 30, and a curfew will be in effect 22:00-04:00 Mondays-Sundays.

Elsewhere, mandatory protocols are in effect for the public nationwide. These include industry-specific requirements related to the use of facemasks, physical distancing, temperature testing, and sanitization procedures in the construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, and mining sectors, and in public entities. All individuals must continue to observe physical distancing of 1.5 meters (5 feet) and wear a facemask in public places. Authorities have also urged the public to avoid mass events.

Municipal officials are empowered to enforce tighter restrictions on businesses, intercity and interdepartmental travel, general movement, recreational activity, and public gatherings, depending on the local risk level. These measures may include scheduling and capacity limits or restrictions on commercial operating hours or vehicular movements.

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

Travel Restrictions
Authorities are maintaining COVID-19-related travel restrictions as of May 29. Under the measures, all travelers over five years of age must present a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours before departure or up to 72 hours after arrival in Bolivia if arriving by land or lake border crossings. Once admitted to Bolivia, all persons must remain in quarantine for 10 days, with a second PCR test taken on the seventh day. This second test will be at the traveler's expense. All nonresident foreigners must also prove that they have a health insurance policy to pay for COVID-19 treatment.

A ban on passenger flights to and from Europe remains in effect until May 31. Officials allow specially authorized repatriation flights for Bolivian citizens to return from Europe as long as all such repatriating citizens complete a 14-day self-quarantine.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government COVID-19 Updates
Public and Private Sector Biosecurity Measures
Online Entry Form