Guatemala: Authorities make facemasks mandatory in indoor and outdoor spaces nationwide as of July 8 /update 48

Guatemala makes facemasks mandatory in indoor and outdoor spaces nationwide as of July 8. Other restrictions remain mostly unchanged.

Event

Authorities in Guatemala have reintroduced the nationwide requirement for individuals to wear facemasks in indoor and outdoor public spaces nationwide as of July 8. Officials reintroduced the measure following a recent increase of COVID-19 cases. The facemask requirement applies to all municipalities, regardless of their individual classification in the country's four-tier color-coded system. Most other COVID-19-related measures 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, only 10 of the nation's 340 municipalities are at the red level: Villa Canales, San Miguel Petapa, Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Santa Lucia Milpas Altas, San Miguel Duenas, Solola, San Miguel Chacaya, Palestina de los Altos, San Franisco, and Pasco. 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.
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; 203 municipalities are designated as orange, including Guatemala City.
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. 123 municipalities are on the yellow level.
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 aged 10 years or older 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.