Regulations issued in Guatemala due to the COVID-19 crisis
By zone_admin | 23 de May de 2022 | Blog
Through Government Decree 05-2020 dated March 5, 2020, the President of the Republic ordered a state of calamity and the immediate implementation of regulations that come from the Ministries of Economy; Labor and Social Welfare; and Public Health and Social Assistance. Said Government Decree has been modified and expanded by Government Decrees 06-2020 and 07-2020.
As a complement, the presidential provisions dated March 16 and 21, 2020 were issued. These were repealed by the presidential provisions dated March 29, 2020, which are currently in force. The set of presidential provisions establish restrictions and prohibitions to various economic sectors, companies and workplaces. Only those considered essential and those authorized by the Ministry of Economy can operate.
Ministry of Economy
As of March 18, 2020, it issued administrative authorization to companies and work centers whose operations are not prohibited by presidential provisions. These authorized companies have, among others, the following obligations:
- Ensure health services for all its employees, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
- Facilitate health services in the production plant for its employees, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
Companies authorized to operate during government restrictions are subject to inspection for compliance with the obligations described above. In case of not complying with it, they will be closed and will not be able to operate in the rest of the time that the restrictions last.
Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance
On March 14, 2020, it issues official communication number 33, indicating that all work activities must be supervised by the employer and adhere to the prevention measures issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.
Also, on March 15, 2020, it issues official communication number 36 in which it establishes that the employer sector must take into consideration that all people over 70 years of age or with serious illnesses must work from their homes, because they are groups high risk of contagion of COVID-19.
Presidential provisions in force
As of March 30, 2020, the presidential provisions dated March 29, 2020 came into force. Regarding occupational health and safety, they literally establish that all the inhabitants of the country, legal entities, companies and private entities must:
“… 1. Apply the measures, protocols and recommendations of health, hygiene and sanitary and occupational safety for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 that is found in the virtual communication platforms and electronic portals of the Government, as well as any provision established by competent authorities, including national and international health regulations.
- Follow up and comply with the Plan for the Prevention, containment and response to cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guatemala , issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, which is found on the virtual communication platforms and electronic portals of the Government.
All people must comply with the health standard of social distancing, carrying out their activities respecting a distance of at least one meter and fifty centimeters from each other, avoiding unnecessary physical contact …”
