Venezuela: Authorities continue to impose strict COVID-19-related restrictions through at least July 4 /update 51

Event

Authorities continue to enforce quarantine measures nationwide in Venezuela through at least July 4 as part of the nation's long-standing "7+7" COVID-19 response program. A week of flexible measures is followed by a week of strict measures. Venezuela will likely return to flexible restrictions for the week of July 5-11.

Under the strict quarantine measures, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating. Moreover, all public events, including marches, are canceled.

Under the general, flexible quarantine restrictions, authorities allow multiple areas of the economy to operate, including lodging facilities, beaches, private clubs, theme parks, restaurants, cafes, furniture stores, hardware stores, public transport, banks and financial services, barbershops and hair salons, car repair businesses, healthcare centers, and places of worship, among numerous other establishments and facilities. Government offices, including the National Ground Transport Institute (Instituto Nacional de Transporte Terrestre, INTT) and the Identification, Migration, and Foreign Affairs Administration (Servicio Administrativo de Identificacion, Migracion y Extranjeria, SAIME), are also permitted to operate.

Unlike the rest of the country, the flexible quarantine periods do not apply to the border municipalities of Zulia, Apure, Tachira, and Bolivar. Generally, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating in these locations.

Some nationwide measures remain in place regardless of which phase of the 7+7 plan is in effect. All residents must wear protective facemasks on public transport, inside grocery stores and pharmacies, and at healthcare facilities, airports, and ports. Bus services may operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Local and regional governments could impose additional restrictions, including limiting intercity or interstate vehicular travel; enhanced measures are especially likely in border areas.

Fuel Distribution Restrictions
Officials have been enforcing a restricted fuel distribution system since October 2020 amid the country's continued fuel shortage crisis. Private vehicles may only be fueled on certain days, depending on the final digit of their license plate numbers. The schedule through July 4 is as follows:

• June 29: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6

• June 30: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8

• July 1: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0

• July 2: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2

• July 3: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4

• July 4: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6

International and Domestic Travel
Most international and domestic passenger flights remain banned until at least late July. Only authorized commercial international flights to and from the Dominican Republic, Russia, Panama, Bolivia, Mexico, and Turkey are permitted. Cargo, emergency, and humanitarian flights are exempt from the ban. Flights for repatriating Venezuelan citizens from abroad are also permitted. Additionally, the land borders remain closed except for cargo transport.

All passengers entering Venezuela must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken 48 hours before arrival. Any person entering the country may be required to undergo additional testing upon arrival and could be subject to quarantine protocols.

All measures are subject to amendment at short notice. Authorities could tighten restrictions in any location at any time if confirmed case numbers increase significantly.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Nicolás Maduro Official Twitter Page