Bolivia: La Paz province to undergo temporary lockdown between June 20 and June 23 /update 12

Event

Authorities in Bolivia have announced that La Paz province is to undergo a full lockdown between Saturday, June 20, and Monday, June 23, as a precaution to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The lockdown will run between 00:01 (local time) on Saturday and 05:00 on Monday. No movement outdoors will be permitted, and public and private vehicles are banned.

Nationwide, the ban on public gatherings remains in place, except for religious services, provided they respect social distancing measures. A curfew between 18:00 and 05:00 Monday to Friday applies, and on weekends individuals are permitted to go up to 500 meters from their residence between 06:00 and 14:00, with no vehicles permitted to circulate. Schools remain closed. The wearing of face masks is mandatory and social distancing measures must be respected.

Further restrictions may be applied by local authorities at the district level, depending on the amount of COVID-19 cases. An up-to-date list of restrictions and cases in each district can be found here.

As of Wednesday, June 17, health authorities have confirmed 19,883 COVID-19 cases and 659 associated deaths in Bolivia. Further spread of the virus is expected in 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 (Hubei province, 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 the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble 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.