Guatemala: Authorities maintain multiple COVID-19 restrictions in place as of Aug. 26 /update 36

Event

As of Aug. 26, authorities in Guatemala continue to employ a four-tier color-coded system for classifying individual municipalities based on the local level of COVID-19 activity and imposing restrictions accordingly. The government declared a state of calamity due to COVID-19 earlier in August implementing a nationwide 22:00-04:00 curfew; however, Congress voted against the decree, and no nightly curfew is in effect as of Aug. 26. Guatemala's system ranges from the red level, indicating the highest risk, to the green level, which indicates the lowest. As of Aug. 26, 289 of the nation's 340 municipalities are at the red level. The risk level descriptions are as follows:

Red Alert: Public transport is limited to 50 percent capacity. Markets, malls, and restaurants can operate with capacity limitations; hotels must close common areas and cannot hold events. National and recreational parks must close; bars, event venues, gyms, cinemas, and theaters cannot operate. Festivals, fairs, and concerts are not allowed. Municipalities under the Red Alert level include Guatemala City, Mixco, Villa Nueva, San Juan Sacatepequez, San Miguel Petapa, Chinautla, Chimaltenango, Solola, and Retalhuleu.
Orange Alert: Public transport is limited to 50 percent capacity. Markets, malls, and restaurants can operate with capacity limitations. National and recreational parks, gyms, and entertainment businesses can operate with capacity limits. Bars, cinemas, theaters, and event venues must remain closed. Huehuetenango and other municipalities, such as Quetzaltenango, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Totonicapan, and Fraijanes are under the Orange Alert level.
Yellow Alert: Public transport is limited to 75 percent capacity. Most businesses can operate with capacity limitations and social distancing in place. Cinemas and theaters may reopen; bars and event venues must remain closed. San Pedro Soloma and Purulha are among the municipalities under the Yellow Alert level.
Green Level: Most restrictions lifted; no municipalities are under this alert level.

Nationwide, individuals must wear facemasks in public settings. All businesses must follow industry-specific restrictions, which include restrictions on opening times and capacity limits.

International Travel Restrictions
Guatemala's land, air, and sea ports of entry remain open to passenger traffic. However, most nonresident foreigners who have been in the UK, Brazil, or South Africa in the 14 days before travel will be barred from boarding Guatemala-bound flights. Travelers with proof of having been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before travel, Guatemalan nationals, residents, diplomats, and flight crew who have recently been in the UK, Brazil, or South Africa are permitted to enter but may be required to self-quarantine for 10 days.

All arriving passengers must complete an online Health Pass before arrival. Individuals must meet at least one of the following requirements to be permitted entry:

Travelers aged 10 and over must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken up to 72 hours before travel.
Travelers who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous three months must provide proof of treatment confirming both the date of diagnosis and that recovery occurred at least 10 days after being diagnosed.
Travelers who have been administered a COVID-19 vaccine may present proof that they have received two doses, the last of which must have been administered a minimum of two weeks before departure.

Travelers who do not have proof of a negative COVID-19 test may be permitted entry only if they have proof of having taken a test before travel but were not able to receive their results in time for their travel or demonstrate that their travel to Guatemala is urgent. Upon arrival at La Aurora International Airport (GUA), these travelers will be tested at their own expense and must remain in the airport while awaiting results. Guatemalan citizens or residents who do not present the negative test result or those who have COVID-19-related symptoms will be taken to an isolation center for further screenings. Nonresident foreign nationals under the same circumstances may be denied entry into Guatemala.

The requirements to enter Guatemala through its land borders are the same as those for entry by air.

All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all appointments and travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.