El Salvador: Officials ban mass gatherings nationwide through at least Oct. 10, due to COVID-19 /update 24

Authorities in El Salvador have banned mass gatherings through at least Oct. 10 due to COVID-19.

Event

Authorities in El Salvador issued orders to ban all mass gatherings, including concerts, political events, public fairs, and sporting events with people in attendance, through at least Oct. 10, as part of their efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Travel restrictions remain unchanged.

Despite the ban for attendance at sporting events, authorities will allow individuals who can prove they are fully vaccinated to enter sporting venues. The directives do not ban or limit any other business activity. All individuals are required to wear a protective facemask in public settings. All businesses must enhance sanitation procedures, ensure compliance with social distancing measures, and promote the use of facemasks by employees.

Travel Restrictions
All unvaccinated individuals over the age of two arriving by air or land borders must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate issued by a laboratory within 72 hours before departure for the country. Travelers who show proof of having been fully vaccinated may travel to El Salvador without the need for a COVID-19 test.

Additional health protocols and screenings are also in place at all airports, including temperature checks, requirements on wearing facemasks, and social distancing. Persons showing symptoms of infection may be subject to a period of quarantine at the discretion of the authorities.

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