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Health Alert – September 30, 2020
Last updated: 10/5/2020
Country-Specific Information:
All passengers age 10 and over arriving in Guatemala by air and land are required to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test result conducted within 72 hours prior to arrival, and comply with health screening requirements. All businesses, entertainment facilities, places of worship, and public spaces may operate, with appropriate measures for social distancing following locality-specific tiered health alerts. The wearing of a face mask in public spaces is mandatory. U.S. citizens are advised to restrict their activities and movements to the maximum extent possible.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes
Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes. All persons ages 10 and over entering Guatemala by air and land must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test conducted no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival. Note that air carriers will request proof of negative test upon departure from the United States.
Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes. All persons must complete, in advance of arrival, a Heath Pass, available at https://sre.gt. Health screening protocols are in place for arriving and departing passengers at La Aurora International Airport and at land border crossings, and any non-resident foreigners presenting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival may be denied entry to Guatemala.
Movement Restrictions:
Is a curfew in place? No. The Guatemalan government’s mandatory curfew was lifted midnight September 30. However, the U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens to limit their activities and movements after dark.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.
Quarantine Information:
Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No. Arriving passengers age 10 and over must present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Antigen test conducted no earlier than 72 hours prior to arrival, and must also complete a Heath Pass, available at https://sre.gt. Any non-resident foreigners presenting symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival may be denied entry to Guatemala.
COVID-19 Testing: Testing for US citizens is available at private clinics and hospitals in Guatemala City and in many departments outside of the capital. Antigen testing costs between Q300 and Q500. PCR testing is available at private hospitals for Q2,700 – Q3,500. Public hospitals and laboratories offer antigen testing for symptomatic patients without cost, but may require long waits and delayed results.
Transportation Options:
Are commercial flights operating? Yes. La Aurora International Airport reopened for routine commercial flights September 18, and several airlines have resumed flights to and from the United States, but with a currently limited schedule. Passengers seeking tickets or information for flights, or assistance with inquiries related to any previously cancelled flights, should contact their airline directly.
Is public transportation operating? Yes. Public transportation vehicles that have been authorized by their municipalities and the Ministry of Health, and that operate at 50 percent maximum occupancy, are permitted to operate.
For interdepartmental travel, only public transportation vehicles that have received authorization from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Communications, and that operate at 50 percent maximum occupancy, are permitted to operate.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
All individuals must wear masks in public spaces, including in grocery stores and on the street, to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in fines of up to 150,000 Quetzales.
Nationwide Restrictions and Resources
The Guatemalan government maintains a https://covid19.gob.gt/semaforo.html, with COVID 19-related restrictions on movement and activities for a given area based on the health alert level in each location.
The overall threat ranking is as follows:
Type of Alert: Threat Level:
Green Normal
Yellow Moderate
Orange High
Red Maximum
The list of threat rankings for each department and municipality is available on the Guatemalan government’s website at https://covid19.gob.gt/semaforo.html.
At the current time, over half of the 17 municipalities in the department of Guatemala are in red status, the highest threat level.
The activities that will be permitted at each threat level are summarized on the Guatemalan government’s website at https://conred.gob.gt/site/documentos/covid-19/TablerodeAlertas.pdf. The Embassy advises U.S. citizens in Guatemala to familiarize themselves with the threat level in their areas, and to keep abreast of any changes.
Restrictions on In-Person Commercial Activities:
All businesses, including restaurants, bars, and entertainment facilities, may operate, with regulations on social distancing within each facility based on the health alert level in each location. Alcohol sales are prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
The list of threat rankings for each department and municipality is available on the Guatemalan government’s website at https://covid19.gob.gt/semaforo.html.
Restrictions on Church Services:
Religious services may operate, with appropriate social distancing measures in place.
Restrictions on Public Sector Activities:
Public sector offices will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., with appropriate social distancing measures in place.
Consular Operations:
U.S. Citizens Services (ACS)/Passport Services:
U.S. citizens with an expired passport, or one expiring soon, and imminent travel plans to the United States, may email amcitsguatemala@state.gov to request an emergency appointment. Emergency appointments may also be requested for U.S. citizen children with imminent travel and who have not previously been issued a passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
Appointments may also be requested for passport authentication for residency purposes, and certain notarial services and other services on a case-by-case basis. Individuals should e-mail amcitsguatemala@state.gov to request an appointment.
The Embassy continues to accept adult passport renewal applications by mail. For more information on this process, please click here.
Visa Services:
The Embassy remains unable to resume routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services at this time. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date.
Visa appointments and emergency appointments at the United States Embassy in Guatemala are limited to the following categories, as local conditions and resources allow:
Immigrant Visas:
- IR1/CR1 (Spouse of a U.S. Citizen)
- IR2/CR2 (Child of a U.S. Citizen)
- K1 (Fiancée visas)
If you are an applicant in one of the above categories and you believe your case involves an emergency situation, you may request an expedited appointment. Please email a scanned letter or statement of proof of the emergency circumstances, where applicable to GuatemalaIV@state.gov.
Nonimmigrant Visas:
- Diplomatic and official visas
- H-2 visas, specifically those associated with food production (e.g., agriculture H-2A and seafood production H-2B)
- Medical professionals applying for J-1, H-1B, or O-1 visas to engage in employment or research in the United States
- Applicants for M, F or Jvisas with an approved I-20 or DS-2019 for
- Medical Emergencies
- Air and sea crew members
Applicants for H-1B, H-2B, H-4, L and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the Proclamation.
Interviews for all other visa categories, including B1/B2, remain suspended. Applicants of any visa category with an urgent need to travel can request an emergency appointment.
Applicants should visit https://www.ustraveldocs.com/gt/gt-niv-typefandm.asp to schedule an appointment.
In order to protect the health and safety of our personnel and the public, we will institute strict social distancing practices in our facilities. All applicants must wear masks. Any applicant with symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, or fever should contact to support-guatemala@ustraveldocs.com to reschedule their interview.
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