Guatemala: Authorities continue to list municipalities by COVID-19 alert level, impose restrictions as of mid-December /update 54

Event

As of mid-December, the government of Guatemala is continuing to list the nation's various municipalities by COVID-19 alert level and assign local pandemic-related restrictions accordingly. Following the most recent update performed on Dec. 12, only six of the country's 340 municipalities are under the red alert level.

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. As of Dec. 16 the municipalities of Chinautla, La Democracia, Los Amates, Puerto Barrios, Santa Clara Laguna, and San Pedro Necta are under the red 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, 175 municipalities are designated as orange, including the capital, Guatemala City, as well as Amatitlan, Barillas, Cuilco, Mixco, Nahuala, Quetzaltenango, San Miguel Petapa, Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan, Santa Cruz del Quiche, Solola, Tiquisate, and Villa Nueva.

• 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 159 municipalities under the yellow level, including Chiquimula, Retalhuleu, San Juan Sacatepequez, and Tecpan Guatemala.

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

The use of facemasks is optional in most settings, including on public transport; however, facemasks remain a requirement in a few specific settings, such as in hospitals, testing and vaccination centers, retirement facilities, and detention centers.

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)