Guatemala: Authorities ease facemask requirements and update list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level as of Oct. 17 /update 52

Event

As of Oct. 17, officials have updated the list of municipalities by COVID-19 alert level and eased facemask requirements. Following the most recent update, only four of the country's 340 municipalities are under the red alert level. Additionally, authorities have made the use of facemasks optional in most settings, including on public transport. The use of facemasks will only remain a requirement in a few specific settings, such as in hospitals, testing and vaccination centers, retirement facilities, and detention centers.

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. Only Poptun, Sumpango, Chahal, and San Juan Atitan 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, 77 municipalities are designated as orange, including Guatemala City, Villa Nueva, Amatitlan, Quetzaltenango, Barillas, and Solola.

• Yellow Alert: Public transport is limited to 148 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 259 municipalities under the yellow level, including Mixco, Chinautla, San Juan Sacatepequez, San Miguel Petapa, Tecpan Guatemala, Retalhuleu, Chiquimula, Tiquisate, and Patulul.

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

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)