Bolivia Lockdown Status: Is It Open For Travel?

Bolivia, like many other countries, went into lockdown in 2020 to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. The country extended its nationwide lockdown in April 2020 and again in May 2020. As of July 2022, there are no national COVID-19 restrictions, but departments and municipalities have the authority to impose local-level COVID-19 restrictions.

Bolivia's COVID-19 lockdown was extended until May 10, 2020

The decision to extend the lockdown was announced by President Jeanine Anez in a televised message to the nation on April 29, 2020. Bolivia had been under a nationwide quarantine since March 21, with strict measures in place to control the spread of COVID-19. These measures included confining people to their homes, with residents only permitted to leave once a week, depending on the last digit of their personal ID. The use of cars was prohibited except for the transportation of food or with special authorisation, and the wearing of face masks outdoors was made mandatory in La Paz.

As of April 29, 2020, Bolivia had reported 1,053 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 55 deaths. In her announcement, President Anez emphasised that the policy going forward would depend on the country's success in containing the pandemic. She stated that the Ministry of Health would evaluate the situation every seven days and that decisions to relax or tighten the quarantine would be based on the evolution of the pandemic in each region.

The extension of the lockdown until May 10 reflected the Bolivian government's cautious approach to managing the COVID-19 crisis and prioritising the health and safety of its citizens.

The government announced a dynamic or less rigid quarantine from May 11

On April 29, 2020, the Bolivian government announced that it would extend its coronavirus lockdown until May 10. However, from May 11 onwards, the country would adopt a "dynamic" or "less rigid" quarantine approach, allowing some people to return to work. This decision was conveyed to the public by President Jeanine Anez through a televised address to the nation.

The shift to a more flexible quarantine system was based on the country's success in containing the pandemic. At the time of the announcement, COVID-19 had claimed the lives of 55 Bolivians, with a total of 1,053 confirmed cases. Going forward, the policy would be contingent on the country's ability to manage the pandemic, with the Ministry of Health evaluating the situation every seven days to determine whether to relax or tighten quarantine measures.

The dynamic quarantine approach was implemented as Bolivia transitioned from a strict lockdown, which included movement restrictions and the closure of non-essential businesses. During the lockdown, only one person per household was permitted to leave their home for grocery shopping during specified hours, and all movement was prohibited on weekends. Additionally, the use of private vehicles was banned, except for transporting food or with special authorization.

The move towards a more flexible quarantine system was a step towards reopening the country and reviving the economy while cautiously navigating the ongoing health crisis. This adaptive strategy aimed to balance the need for economic recovery with the priority of safeguarding public health.

The dynamic quarantine approach in Bolivia reflects the evolving nature of pandemic responses, where governments must continually assess the situation and make informed decisions to protect their citizens.

Strict measures: one person per household could buy food, no private vehicles

Bolivia implemented a nationwide lockdown in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19. As part of the strict measures, the government restricted the movement of its citizens, allowing only one person per household to leave their residence to purchase food between 7 am and 12 pm on weekdays. This restriction significantly impacted families and communities, particularly those engaged in agropastoral activities, as they relied on seasonal and geographical crop rotation and the collaborative efforts of family members located across different ecological floors.

The lockdown prohibited all movement during the weekends, and no private vehicles were permitted to circulate. These restrictions presented challenges for those living in the southern Andes region, where communities are organized by lineage (ayllus) and share territories across different ecological floors. The usual division of tasks among family members, such as tending to crops in the High-Plateaus or the valleys, was disrupted. The lockdown forced them to remain in one place, impacting their social, political, and economic life.

The measures also had economic repercussions, as non-essential businesses were ordered to close. The government did consider providing more flexibility for certain economic sectors throughout the lockdown period. However, the specific sectors mentioned and the outcome of these considerations are unclear.

The strict measures in Bolivia, including the restrictions on movement and private vehicle use, were part of the nationwide effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic. These rules evolved and changed as the situation progressed, with the government reassessing and adjusting the measures based on the evolving circumstances and the success of containment efforts in different regions.

The lockdown impacted the seasonal crop rotation of the Aymara populations in Norte-Potosí

The Aymara populations of Norte-Potosí in Bolivia practice a unique form of agriculture, cultivating crops on different ecological floors to vary production and address climatic constraints. This system of seasonal crop rotation is organised by lineage, or "ayllus", with each group controlling territories on different ecological floors.

The lockdown measures implemented in Bolivia from March 22 to August 31, 2020, had a significant impact on this system. The strict restrictions on movement made it impossible for families to travel between their homes on different floors, disrupting their agricultural activities. The lockdown prevented families from harvesting potatoes and maize during the usual seasons and deprived them of the seasonal help of family members.

The impact was further exacerbated by the political crisis and coup at the end of 2019, which had already disrupted the control of ecological floors by the Aymara populations. The coup led to the deployment of the army in cities and suburbs, particularly in Cochabamba and Sacaba, affecting the economic activities of migrants from Norte-Potosí. As a result, many migrants returned to their native communities to help with agricultural work, reviving previously abandoned plots.

The lockdown, therefore, had a significant negative impact on the seasonal crop rotation of the Aymara populations in Norte-Potosí, disrupting their traditional agricultural practices and survival strategies.

Tourists banned indefinitely in Bolivia

As of 2023, tourists have been banned from entering Bolivia indefinitely. The country is in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed 55 Bolivians and infected over 1,000 people as of April 2020. The government has imposed a nationwide quarantine, with strict measures in place to contain the spread of the virus.

Bolivians are confined to their homes and can only leave once a week, depending on the last digit of their personal ID. The use of private vehicles is prohibited, except for transporting food or with special authorization. Face masks are mandatory in public places, and social distancing measures must be followed. There are no national COVID-19 restrictions, but departments and municipalities can impose their own restrictions.

The lockdown has had a significant impact on the country, with non-essential businesses ordered to close and movement restrictions in place. Only one person per household is allowed to leave to buy food during specified times on weekdays, and all movement is prohibited during the weekends. As the crisis continues, the government is constantly reassessing the situation and making changes to the restrictions as needed.

The ban on tourists is part of the country's efforts to control the pandemic and protect its citizens. While the air borders are open and commercial flights are permitted, only fully vaccinated individuals or those with a negative PCR or antigen test are allowed to enter the country. These restrictions have been in place for over 1000 days, with no indication of when they will be lifted.

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