05 Jan 2022 | 01:54 AM UTC
Venezuela: Authorities maintain flexible COVID-19-related measures as of Jan. 4 /update 70
Venezuela maintains flexible COVID-19-related measures as of Jan. 4. Fuel purchase schedule remains in place.
Event
As of Jan. 4, flexible control measures are in place across Venezuela as part of the country's COVID-19 response program. The government has temporarily ended its long-standing "7+7" program, under which a series of strict restrictions alternated with flexible measures weekly. The flexible measures will remain indefinitely; however, authorities have said they may reimpose the plan if infections increase.
Domestic Measures
Under the general flexible restrictions, authorities allow most businesses and facilities, including lodging establishments, beaches, private clubs, theme parks, restaurants, cafes, public transport, banks, and financial services, healthcare centers, and places of worship, among numerous others, to operate. 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.
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 likely in border areas.
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 refuel on certain days, depending on the final digit of their license plate numbers. The schedule through early January is as follows:
Jan. 4: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4
Jan. 5: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6
Jan. 6: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8
Jan. 7: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0
Jan. 8: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2
Jan. 9: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4
International Travel
Multiple 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.
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.
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.
