Coronavirus In Bolivia: What's The Status?

Bolivia has been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. The country has been controlling the situation gradually, and the number of cases has reduced over time, possibly due to the fact that 25% of the population is fully vaccinated. However, entering the country is still restricted. The Bolivian Government is aware of the importance of tourism to the country and is working to minimize the impact of the pandemic on this sector. The health authorities have implemented quarantine measures and travel protocols to control the spread of the virus.

Bolivia's COVID-19 cases have reduced, with 25% of the population fully vaccinated

Since September 2020, the impact of COVID-19 in Bolivia has improved significantly. The country's COVID-19 cases have reduced, possibly due to the fact that 25% of the population is fully vaccinated. This is a notable improvement compared to March 2021, when less than 0.1% of the population was fully vaccinated. The Bolivian government has been actively promoting vaccination among all eligible individuals, including those in indigenous groups in rural areas.

The reduction in COVID-19 cases is a positive development for Bolivia, which has faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Bolivia was heavily dependent on tourism, which provided 110,000 jobs, and the restrictions on travel have severely impacted the industry. Even domestic travel has suffered, with a loss of $530 million in the tourism economy, according to Statista.

The pandemic also exposed weaknesses in Bolivia's healthcare system, which ranks nearly last among Western Hemisphere countries. The country has a limited number of intensive care beds and has struggled to provide adequate personal protective equipment and medical supplies for its medical personnel.

In addition to the vaccination efforts, Bolivia has implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus. In March 2020, when the first two cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, the government took swift action. They suspended public school sessions, restricted gatherings, and prohibited flights to and from certain countries. A nationwide quarantine was also announced to curb the spread of the virus.

Despite these challenges, Bolivia has made progress in its fight against COVID-19, with a significant decrease in cases and an increase in vaccinations. The country's efforts to promote vaccination and control the spread of the virus have likely contributed to the reduction in cases.

Bolivia received 150,000 vaccine doses from Mexico in September 2021

On September 7, 2021, Bolivia received a shipment of 150,000 vaccine doses from Mexico. This shipment was part of the 5 million free vaccines that Bolivia will receive through the COVAX mechanism, a global initiative that aims for equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. The US is committed to leading the global response to Covid-19, including by supporting global vaccine distribution through COVAX. The US has also donated 5,750,820 safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine doses to Bolivia, with 4,742,820 of those doses coming from Pfizer and 1,008,000 from Johnson & Johnson.

The Bolivian government has been encouraging and promoting everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including indigenous groups in rural areas. Rinko Kinoshita, Bolivia's representative for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), stated that the United Nations is supporting the government with communication campaigns to promote Covid-19 vaccination, especially in indigenous rural communities on the border with Brazil.

The impact of Covid-19 in Bolivia has greatly improved since September 2020, with the country's Covid-19 cases reduced. This may be due to the fact that 25% of the population is fully vaccinated, compared to less than 0.1% in March 2021. The country has seen a dramatic increase in vaccinations in a short period of time.

The government is encouraging everyone eligible to get vaccinated, including indigenous groups in rural areas

As of September 2020, the impact of COVID-19 in Bolivia has improved, with a reduction in cases. This is possibly due to the fact that 25% of the population is fully vaccinated, a significant increase from less than 0.1% in March 2021. The government is actively encouraging everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including indigenous groups in rural areas.

Bolivia has been working to spread awareness of the vaccine and promote its benefits to all its citizens. Rinko Kinoshita, Bolivia's representative for the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), stated that the United Nations is supporting the government with communication campaigns to promote COVID-19 vaccination, especially in indigenous rural communities on the border with Brazil. This effort aims to ensure that all Bolivians, regardless of their location or background, have access to the vaccine and understand its importance.

The promotion of vaccination among indigenous groups is particularly important due to the lack of proper sanitation and medical services in rural areas, which makes these communities more vulnerable to diseases. Additionally, there is a history of mistrust in the healthcare system among some indigenous peoples, with a preference for traditional medicine. By encouraging vaccination and providing accurate information, the government aims to address these concerns and protect the health of all its citizens.

However, there are still challenges to overcome. According to Dr Yercin Mamani, former director of the departmental health service in Cochabamba, vaccine hesitancy is a significant issue. He identifies three main groups of people who are refusing the vaccine: self-described anti-vaxxers, people with religious objections, and a less defined group that is mostly rural, with a low level of education, and susceptible to misinformation. This misinformation spreads through social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, and even some government authorities and public figures have been accused of spreading false information.

Despite these challenges, the Bolivian government remains committed to ensuring that all its citizens, including indigenous groups in rural areas, have access to COVID-19 vaccines and are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect their health and well-being.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is taking measures to reactivate tourism

As of September 2024, Bolivia is still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is heavily reliant on tourism, which has been one of the sectors worst hit by the pandemic.

• Promoting safe international travel: The UNWTO is working with governments and the tourism industry to restore traveller confidence and support the safe return of international tourism. This includes developing global protocols for various travel industries and calling for more rapid testing at airports.
• Supporting tourism businesses: The organization recognizes that the tourism sector needs help to survive. It promotes financial aid, such as cash transfers, grants, tax relief, and loan guarantees for businesses.
• Encouraging domestic tourism: While domestic tourism cannot fully compensate for the loss of international tourism, it can help mitigate the impact. The UNWTO encourages domestic travel and supports governments in developing plans to sustain and boost this sector.
• Providing clear information: To reduce uncertainty, the UNWTO emphasizes the importance of clear communication and information sharing between governments and travellers.
• Digitalization and sustainability: The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of tourism services, and the UNWTO encourages further development in this area. Additionally, the organization promotes environmental sustainability in the tourism industry, such as improving energy efficiency and waste management.
• Worker training and support: The UNWTO supports initiatives to build digital skills among workers in the tourism industry, such as training in data analytics and artificial intelligence. It also promotes initiatives to support vulnerable groups, including women and indigenous people, in accessing vaccines and economic opportunities.

Bolivia has implemented quarantine measures to control the spread of the virus

On March 12, the government announced seven measures to slow the spread of the disease, including the suspension of educational activities and flights to and from Europe. The city of Oruro, which had seen the first two cases, declared a 14-day quarantine beginning on March 16. Interim President Jeanine Áñez took further actions, prohibiting entry to the country for anyone coming from China, South Korea, Italy, or Spain starting March 18.

As the situation evolved, the government announced new measures on March 15, expanding entry restrictions to include travelers from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iran. The departments of Oruro, Potosí, Cochabamba, and Chuquisaca implemented measures to restrict movement, while Tarija prohibited public trips between departments.

On March 17, President Áñez announced the closure of Bolivia's borders to all foreign nationals, effective March 19. All international flights were suspended, and domestic travel between departments and provinces was prohibited. The government also announced a nationwide quarantine, effective March 22, to slow the spread of the virus. Markets and supply centers were allowed to operate every morning until midday, and factories and transportation serving basic grocery needs continued to function.

The quarantine measures had an impact on daily life in Bolivia. Private and public transport was suspended, except for workers in essential sectors. Electricity prices were reduced, and water, gas, and internet services could not be cut off during the quarantine. Social, sporting, and religious activities and gatherings were prohibited.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant effects on Bolivia, and the government's response evolved over time with the implementation of quarantine measures and restrictions on movement. These actions were aimed at controlling the spread of the virus and protecting the health and safety of the country's citizens.

Frequently asked questions