Guatemala: Authorities update list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level as of Sept. 16 /update 51

Event

As of Sept. 16, officials in Guatemala have updated the list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level. Following the most recent update, only 12 of the country's 340 municipalities are under the red alert level.

Domestic Measures
Facemasks are only required on public transport, as well as inside health centers, nursing and retirement homes, and detention centers. Authorities 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 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. There are 12 municipalities at this alert level, including Solola, Sanarate, Cantel, and Olintepeque.

• 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. Currently, 180 municipalities are designated as orange, including Guatemala City, Mixco, Chinautla, San Juan Sacatepequez, Villa Nueva, and San Miguel Petapa.

• Yellow Alert: Public transport is limited to 148 percent capacity. Most businesses can operate with capacity limitations and social distancing measures in place. Cinemas and theaters may reopen; however, bars and event venues must remain closed. There are currently 148 municipalities under the yellow level, including Tecpan Guatemala, Retalhuleu, Chiquimula, Tiquisate, and Patulul.

• Green Alert: Most restrictions lifted; currently, no municipalities are at this level.

International Travel Restrictions
Officials are not imposing any COVID-19-related restrictions on international travel.

All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice

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

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Travel Requirements (Spanish)
Alert Level by Region (Spanish)