COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Guatemala (22 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents can enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed entry.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Health screening measures are in force for the inbound and outbound passengers at the La Aurora International Airport and at land border crossing points.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

• Test certificates are allowed.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Arriving travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test certificate issued within the last 72-hours prior to their arrival. Foreign nationals, who are not legal residents in Guatemala, will not be permitted into Guatemala if they do not provide a test certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• No with exceptions

• Travellers arriving without a negative test certificate will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• In Guatemala, all inbound travellers will need to register a Health Pass form through the country’s Health Pass Website 24-hours before arrival and take a printed copy of the form to show upon arrival. After the registration, a QR code will be generated, which will need to be provided after arrival.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• Travellers are recommended to use the contact tracing app - ‘Alerta Guate’.

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• International commercial flight services at Aurora International Airport have resumed.

• Health screening measures have been installed at all entry ports including airports.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Land, air, and maritime borders are open. However, authorities may close the border with Mexico without any notice due to the disruptions and tensions at the border.

Curfew restrictions

• Minimal

• The authorities have withdrawn the state of calamity along with the overnight curfew.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Guatemalan authorities have introduced a four-tier alert system (Red, Orange, Yellow, and Green) on the basis of the COVID-19 cases in each municipality. The alert system is reviewed every two weeks. Information on which municipalities are under alert can be found at this Government of Guatemala website. As of 19 November, 88 of 340 municipalities fall under the red zone.

• Most gatherings are limited to a maximum of ten people.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• Residents of the departments that are under the State of Prevention may be asked to provide itineraries and photo ID. All types of movement remain banned.

• Public transportation vehicles that have been authorized by their municipalities and the Ministry of Health may operate at reduced capacity.

• Movement between departments has resumed, provided the vehicles have authorization from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Communications.

• Movement restrictions may be imposed by the states and local authorities without advance notice.

• The government is discouraging people from travelling to the municipalities of Mixco, Chinautla, Zone 18, and Villa Nueva in Guatemala City.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Non-essentials shops are open with reduced capacity and social distancing measures.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions.

• Restaurants are open with reduced capacity and social distancing measures.

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes with exceptions.

• Bar and cafes are open in reduced capacity and social distancing measures.

• Alcohol cannot be sold between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00 (local time) except for during Christmas (24-25 December) and New Year’s (31 December - 1 January).

Places of worship open?

• Yes with exceptions

• In red zone areas religious services are allowed only with a maximum of 10 people.

• Religious services are allowed for one hour.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Wearing a mask is mandatory.

Other

• Any person violating any measures may face fines and possible civil or criminal charges.

Advies

The COVID-19 epidemic is changing constantly worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.