Guatemala: Authorities to tighten COVID-19-related entry restrictions effective Jan. 10 /update 41

Event

From Jan. 10, authorities in Guatemala will tighten COVID-19-related entry restrictions; all arriving nonresident foreign nationals aged 12 or over must present proof of being fully vaccinated. Additionally, all arriving nonresident foreign nationals aged 10 and over will be required to present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours prior to travel. While nonresident foreign nationals will be required to comply with both the testing and vaccination requirements, Guatemalan residents, citizens, and diplomats will have the option to either present proof of being fully vaccinated or present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding. To be considered fully vaccinated in Guatemala, individuals must have received two doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least 14 days prior to travel.

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. Following the most recent update to the system, only 13 of the nation's 340 municipalities are at the red level. 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. Municipalities under the Red Alert level include Amatitlan, Villa Nueva, San Miguel Petapa, and Patzun.

• 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; 34 municipalities are designated as orange, including Guatemala City, Mixco, Tecpan Guatemala, Momostenango, and Escuintla.

• 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. San Pedro Soloma, San Juan Sacatepequez, and Tucuru are among the 293 municipalities under the yellow level.

• Green Alert: Most restrictions lifted; no municipalities are under this alert level.

Nationwide, individuals must wear facemasks in public settings. All businesses must follow industry-specific restrictions, which include restrictions on opening times and capacity limits.

International Travel Restrictions
Guatemala's land, air, and sea ports of entry remain open to most passenger traffic. However, authorities have banned the entry of travelers who have been to South Africa, Mozambique, Egypt, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, or Zimbabwe in the 14 days prior to travel in Guatemala. The ban does not apply to nationals, foreign residents, and diplomats. In some cases, authorities may require arrivals to self-isolate for up to 10 days.

All arriving passengers must complete an online Health Pass before arrival. Until Jan. 9, all arrivals must meet at least one of the following requirements to be permitted entry:

• Travelers aged 10 and over must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken up to 72 hours before travel.

• Travelers who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous three months must provide proof of treatment confirming both the date of diagnosis and that recovery occurred at least 10 days after being diagnosed.

• Travelers who have been administered a COVID-19 vaccine may present proof that they have been fully vaccinated for a minimum of two weeks before departure.

Residents and citizens who do not have proof of a negative COVID-19 test result may be permitted entry only if they have proof of having taken a test before travel but that they were not able to receive their results in time for their trip or demonstrate that their travel to Guatemala is urgent. Upon arrival at La Aurora International Airport (GUA), these travelers will be tested at their own expense and must remain in the airport while awaiting results. Guatemalan citizens or residents who do not present the negative test result, as well as those who have COVID-19-related symptoms, will be taken to an isolation center for further screenings. Nonresident foreign nationals under the same circumstances may be denied entry into Guatemala.

The requirements to enter Guatemala through its land borders are the same as those for entry by air. All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice

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

Resources

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