CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN

On April 20, Guatemala’s Executive Branch issued a presidential order through its Official Gazette, extending social distancing measures until April 27, including trade restrictions and airport closures. Meanwhile, in Honduras, the Security Secretariat extended the nationwide curfew until April 26. This keeps in force the current trade restrictions in the country. Finally, the second death of COVID-19 was confirmed in Nicaragua, which prompted Daniel Ortega’s government to deny the arrival of repatriation flights for Nicaraguan citizens. It is not ruled out that this country might choose to close its borders in the coming days. 

The regulations issued in Guatemala keep closure of all non-exempt activities in public and private areas. It also retains the restriction on public transport and border closures. However, the curfew is amended and will apply between 6 pm and 4 am. Finally, the airports will be kept closed for international and local flights, except for military, humanitarian and cargo transfers.

As for Honduras, essential activities, such as going to the bank or the supermarket, are still allowed. People can circulate once a week, depending on their ID card number. It is not possible to circulate on weekends, except in cases envisaged by the Executive Branch. Supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies and banks are open only during scheduled days and may not operate on Saturdays and Sundays.

Lastly, in Nicaragua, the second death from COVID-19 was confirmed over the weekend. This prompted the Government to put a halt to repatriation flights, such as one from the Cayman Islands, landing in the country. In light of this, it is possible that in the coming days the Executive will issue regulations to close air borders in order to prevent the virus from entering the country.