Bolivia: Authorities ease COVID-19 restrictions from September 1 /update 17

Event

On Tuesday, September 1, Bolivian authorities eased several restrictions previously implemented to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Following a months-long closure, international commercial flights have resumed with all countries without airspace restrictions. Arriving passengers are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the previous seven days prior to arrival. Land, river, and lake borders are to remain closed until further notice. Discussions are reportedly underway to permit cross-border traffic with neighboring countries.

Furthermore, the nationwide nightly curfew has been reduced to between the hours of 20:00 and 05:00 (local time) from Monday to Friday, and from 16:00 to 05:00 (local time) between Saturday and Sunday. All public events remain canceled, and schools are closed indefinitely. Restrictions on industrial, manufacturing, agricultural, mining, and forestry companies have also been lifted, permitting an unrestricted resumption of activities. Bolivia's 339 municipalities have been classified on a three-tier scale indicating a high, medium, or reduced risk of the spread of COVID-19. Municipalities may implement further restrictions, such as banning vehicular traffic or limit business activity, depending on their position on the scale.

As of Wednesday, September 2, Bolivian authorities have reported 117,267 COVID-19 cases, with 5101 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.