Guatemala: Authorities continue to update list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level as of Feb. 16 /update 56

Event

As of Feb. 16, officials in Guatemala continue to update the list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level. Following the most recent update, most of the country's 340 municipalities remain under the yellow alert level.

Domestic Measures
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. As of Feb. 16, no municipalities are under this alert level.

• 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, 266 municipalities are designated as orange, including Amatitlan, Barillas, Cuilco, Mixco, Nahuala, Olintepeque, San Miguel Petapa, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, and Solola.

• Yellow Alert: Public transport is limited to 75 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 74 municipalities under the yellow level, including the capital, Guatemala City, as well as Barillas, Chiquimula, Jutiapa, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Sanarate, San Martin Jilotepeque, Santa Lucia Cotzumalguapa, San Juan Sacatepequez, Santa Cruz del Quiche, Tecpan Guatemala, Tiquisate, and Villa Nueva.

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

The use of facemasks is optional in most settings, including on public transport; however, facemasks remain a requirement in a few specific settings, such as in hospitals, testing and vaccination centers, retirement facilities, and detention centers.

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)