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31 Mar 2020 | 01:01 PM UTC

Guatemala: Nationwide curfew extended to April 12 /update 6

Guatemalan authorities announce the extension of a nationwide curfew until April 12; follow authority directives

Critical

Event

Guatemalan authorities have announced the extension of a nationwide curfew until Sunday, April 12. As such, all movement will continue to be restricted between 16:00 and 04:00 (local time). Exemptions will be made for essential personnel, including police, private security, medical professionals, and food delivery drivers. Grocery stores will be closed during the abovementioned hours. The curfew has been in place since Sunday, March 15, and was initially implemented for eight days.

As of Tuesday, March 31, there are 36 confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death in Guatemala. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:  

  • Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
  • When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
  • If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.