Guatemala: Authorities ease facemask requirements, update list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level as of Aug. 8 /update 49

Guatemala eases facemask requirements, updates color-coded list of municipalities by COVID-19 risk level as of Aug. 8.

Event

As of Aug. 8, authorities in Guatemala no longer require facemasks to be worn in all indoor and outdoor public spaces. Facemasks are now only required on public transport, as well as inside health centers, nursing and retirement homes, and detention centers. Officials have also updated Guatemala's color-coded list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level. Other COVID-19-related restrictions on international travel and domestic activities remain unchanged.

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, most of the nation's 340 municipalities are at the orange 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. There are 89 municipalities at this alert level, including San Juan Sacatepequez, Villa Nueva, San Miguel Petapa, Nahuala, and San Cristobal Totonicapan.
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, 234 municipalities are designated as orange, including Guatemala City, Mixco, Chinautla, Tecpan Guatemala, 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 17 municipalities at the yellow level, including Tiquisate, Patulul, Santa Eulalia, and Tejutla.
Green Alert: Most restrictions lifted; currently, no municipalities are at this level.

All measures are subject to amendment at short notice.

International Travel Restrictions
All arriving passengers must fulfill one of the following requirements to enter Guatemala:

Present proof of having received at least two doses of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, at least 14 days before travel.
Present a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before travel.

Guatemala's land, air, and maritime ports of entry remain open to most passenger traffic. The requirements to enter Guatemala through its land borders are the same as those for entry by air.

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.