11 Oct 2021 | 12:15 PM UTC
Venezuela: Authorities impose flexible COVID-19-related measures through Oct. 17 /update 66
Venezuela imposes flexible COVID-19-related controls through Oct. 17. Fuel purchase schedule remains in place.
Event
Authorities in Venezuela will enforce flexible control measures Oct. 11-17 as part of the country's long-standing "7+7" COVID-19 response program. Flexible measures generally alternate with strict measures weekly. Barring any unforeseen developments, Venezuela will likely return to more strict restrictions for the week of Oct. 18-24.
Under the general, flexible 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), can also operate. Effective Oct. 25, authorities plan for in-person classes to resume during weeks of flexible measures.
The flexible periods do not apply to the border municipalities of Apure, Bolivar, Tachira, and Zulia. Generally, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating under the strict quarantine measures in these locations. Additionally, all public events, including marches, are canceled.
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.
Under the strict measures, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating. Restaurants and cafes may also operate but only for delivery and pickup services.
Authorities in Venezuela plan to launch a system to allow fully vaccinated individuals to enter certain businesses, including restaurants, regardless of the weekly measures in place. However, they have not announced when this plan will be launched.
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 Oct. 17 is as follows:
Oct. 11: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4
Oct. 12: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6
Oct. 13: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8
Oct. 14: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0
Oct. 15: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2
Oct. 16: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4
Oct. 17: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6
International and Domestic Travel
Most international flights remain banned until further notice. Authorities only allow authorized commercial international flights to and from Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Russia, and Turkey. Cargo, emergency, and humanitarian flights are exempt from the ban. Officials also allow flights repatriating Venezuelan citizens.
All passengers entering Venezuela must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. Any person entering the country may have to undergo additional testing upon arrival and could be subject to quarantine protocols. Since early July, authorities have also allowed additional internal flights connecting most major cities, except those in states bordering Colombia and Brazil.
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.
