Europeans entering Guatemala

[robert sailor]

Just got a note from a reliable source that sailors using European passports have been refused entry into Guatemala.
The Guatemala government have agreed to implement the same policies as the USA administration and as of right now that doesn't allow Europeans to enter for 30 days.

[belizesailor]

Yes, Guatemala is restricting entry and has recently signed on to an agreement with other Central American countries to coordinate their response efforts.

El Salvador has also closed their borders.

[Dsanduril]

And yet if they are saying they are "following the US", the ban only applies to persons who are not US citizens/residents (or a few other exceptions) who have been physically present in the Schengen Area in the last two weeks:

The entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of all aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States is hereby suspended and limited subject to section 2 of this proclamation.

Good luck trying to explain that to an immigration official, or that Europe ≠ Schengen.

[Thumbs Up]

and now Honduras

[belizesailor]

First confirmed case reported in Guatemala.

https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemal...-en-guatemala/

[robert sailor]

Great

[model 10]

Guatemala closed the border to all boats Monday night, the 16th. They claim for 15 days. Some boats look to be leaving anyway. Mexico is still open.
The 9 cases so far are from one flight coming from China and all the passengers are in quarantine. They seem to have contained things so far.
There are a lot of cruisers hanging out on the river and it feels pretty safe.

[Montanan]

UK Foreign Office Notice. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guatemala

Still current at:20 March 2020 Updated:19 March 2020 Latest update:
On 17 March Guatemalan authorities announced that foreigners can still leave Guatemala by land through the Tecun Uman border and the El Carmen border into Mexico. This is an option for foreigners wishing to leave Guatemala for Mexico. The British Embassy in Guatemala City is organising land transportation for British Nationals from La Antigua to the El Carmen border with Mexico, departing on Friday 20 March. If you wish to register your interest, please email consular.guatemala@fco.gov.uk. ('Summary' and 'Entry Requirements' pages)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises British Nationals against all but essential travel to Guatemala.

From 16 March, British nationals are not allowed to enter Guatemala, due to restrictions imposed by the Guatemalan Government in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Only Guatemalan nationals, resident foreigners and diplomats are permitted to enter Guatemala, and each will be subject to a 15 day quarantine.

On 17 March Guatemalan authorities announced that foreigners can still leave Guatemala by land through the Tecun Uman border and the El Carmen border into Mexico. This is an option for foreigners wising to leave Guatemala for Mexico. The British Embassy in Guatemala City is organising land transportation for British Nationals from La Antigua to the El Carmen border with Mexico, departing on Friday 20 March. If you wish to register your interest, please email consular.guatemala@fco.gov.uk.

All businesses have been ordered to close until at least 31 March, except for core businesses such as banks, petrol stations, pharmacies and supermarkets.

[Woodland Hills]

Are you saying that there is an exit ban? That foreigners are not allowed to leave by boat?

[LLCoolDave]

Originally Posted by Woodland Hills

Are you saying that there is an exit ban? That foreigners are not allowed to leave by boat?

Right now, the ports are closed. Boats are not allowed to check out. Besides, all neighboring countries are on lockdown and you wouldn't be able to check in anyways. There are consequences to not checking out properly. You could face a large fine or be banned from re entry.

Since the airport has been closed the Canadian and US embassies have each organized a charter flight for those looking to go back home. The Canadian flight is full and the American flight was just announced.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Great

The local cruisers news has a woman flying in from Russia via Panama on a contaminated plane. She is being monitored on their boat.

[model 10]

Guatemala has extended the closing for another 30 days. The Coast Guard has stopped boats near the mouth of the river. Sneaking in or out might be more tricky now.
There have been a half dozen flights from GUA back to the US and we just bagged a pair of seats on one .

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Ecos

Guatemala has extended the closing for another 30 days. The Coast Guard has stopped boats near the mouth of the river. Sneaking in or out might be more tricky now.
There have been a half dozen flights from GUA back to the US and we just bagged a pair of seats on one .[emoji2]

Why risk contamination by travelling?

[model 10]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Why risk contamination by travelling?

It felt safe in Rio for sure. They are taking all kinds of precaution. But thee rate of infected went from 9 to 19 in a day or so and I think it might be from gringos.
We're not a boat that can go long periods without resupply. A week maybe. Marina life is good but our home in Oregon is a better place to deal with this.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Ecos

It felt safe in Rio for sure. They are taking all kinds of precaution. But thee rate of infected went from 9 to 19 in a day or so and I think it might be from gringos.

We're not a boat that can go long periods without resupply. A week maybe. Marina life is good but our home in Oregon is a better place to deal with this.

Understand. We were all set to isolate in place aboard our boat in Bocas del Toro. We can go a long time w/out resupply and had just stocked up. I was perfectly happy with that...snorkeling twice a day, boat projects, etc. I was starting to enjoy the isolation. My wife was less enthused.

Then they started clamping down in Panama, she was worried we would not be able to get home, and our foreign house sitters had to leave soon. So home we went. In this case thats only a few hours drive away. A friend came and got to us to minimize public transport.

Now I hear they have locked down in Bocas and boats are not allow to leave the usual anchorages or their boat except for appointed times to reprovision. That would have put an end to snorkelling and exploring new remote anchorages...might as well be home.