Venezuela: Authorities impose strict COVID-19-related restrictions through July 18 /update 53

Event

Authorities in Venezuela will enforce strict quarantine measures across the country July 12-18 as part of the nation's long-standing "7+7" COVID-19 response program. Strict quarantine measures generally alternate with flexible quarantine measures weekly. Barring any unforeseen developments, Venezuela will likely return to flexible restrictions for the week of July 19-25.

Under the strict quarantine measures, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating. Moreover, all public events, including marches, are canceled.

Under the general, flexible quarantine restrictions, authorities allow multiple areas of the economy to operate, including lodging facilities, beaches, private clubs, theme parks, restaurants, cafes, furniture stores, hardware stores, public transport, banks and financial services, barbershops and hair salons, car repair businesses, healthcare centers, and places of worship, among numerous other establishments and facilities. Government offices, including the National Ground Transport Institute (Instituto Nacional de Transporte Terrestre, INTT) and the Identification, Migration, and Foreign Affairs Administration (Servicio Administrativo de Identificacion, Migracion y Extranjeria, SAIME), can also operate.

Unlike the rest of the country, the flexible quarantine periods do not apply to the border municipalities of Apure, Bolivar, Tachira, and Zulia. Generally, only essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, law enforcement, public utilities, and agriculture, can continue operating under the strict quarantine measures in these locations. Additionally, all public events, including marches, are canceled.

Some nationwide measures remain in place regardless of which phase of the 7+7 plan is in effect. All residents must wear protective facemasks on public transport, inside grocery stores and pharmacies, and at healthcare facilities, airports, and ports. Bus services may operate at a maximum of 50 percent capacity. Local and regional governments could impose additional restrictions, including limiting intercity or interstate vehicular travel; enhanced measures are especially likely in border areas.

Fuel Distribution Restrictions
Officials have been enforcing a restricted fuel distribution system since October 2020 amid the country's continued fuel shortage crisis. Private vehicles may only be fueled on certain days, depending on the final digit of their license plate numbers. The schedule through July 11 is as follows:

• July 12: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2

• July 13: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4

• July 14: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 and 6

• July 15: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 and 8

• July 16: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 and 0

• July 17: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 and 2

• July 18: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 and 4

International and Domestic Travel
Most international and domestic passenger flights remain banned until at least late July. Only authorized commercial international flights to and from Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Russia, and Turkey are permitted. Cargo, emergency, and humanitarian flights are exempt from the ban. Authorities also allow flights repatriating Venezuelan citizens.

All passengers entering Venezuela must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken 48 hours before arrival. Any person entering the country may be required to undergo additional testing upon arrival and could be subject to quarantine protocols. Authorities have also allowed additional internal flights since early July connecting most major cities in the country, except those in states bordering Colombia and Brazil.

All measures are subject to amendment at short notice. Authorities could tighten restrictions in any location at any time if confirmed case numbers increase significantly.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Nicolás Maduro Official Twitter Page