What's the government response timeline for El Salvador?

Social Media awareness campaign started. [ https://www.facebook.com/salud.sv/photos/a.999439960078450/2894128407276253/?type=3&theater=] https://www.facebook.com/salud.sv/photos/a.999439960078450/2894128407276253/?type=3&theater

The first videos of the Ministry of Health informing about COVID were published on January 28: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6yOjGVEcqg Other videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/comunicacionesminsal/videos Video published by the Ministry of Education on February 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnULRH-IUOI Public campaign through videos published by the Ministry of Labour since March 23: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84aU9Ac_yhs Other videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/ministeriodetrabajo1/videos

EL SALVADOR imposed an entry ban on all travelers from China and suspended all flights from China, effective January 31 source: https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/travel-restrictions-china-due-covid-19

El Salvador will bar the entry of foreign nationals arriving from Italy and South Korea to prevent the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than a thousand people worldwide, President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-el-salvador/el-salvador-bars-visitors-from-italy-and-south-korea-citing-coronavirus-idUSKBN20J2UB

I can't find any information regarding testing policy, or testing at all, before 11th March.

On March 11, the president of El Salvador ordered the suspension of schools for 21 days: https://www.mined.gob.sv/noticias/item/1015483-el-ministerio-de-educacion-informa-a-la-poblacion-en-general.html On March 21, the Executive Branch ordered national quarantine for the following 30 days with very few exceptions. The decree may be found here: https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf On April 10, guidelines on remote teaching were issued by the Ministry of Education: http://www.mined.gob.sv/jdownloads/Circulares%20Institucionales/Circulares%202020/CIRCULAR%209-2020.pdf

ACAPS dataset says that "President of El Salvador has ordered private companies to send employees who are older than 60, who are pregnant or who have underlying conditions, home on paid time off for 30 days." 11/03 - I can't find sources to support this, and think it actually came into place on the 16th.

Simphiwe: On March 11, President Bukele announced at a press conference the prohibitions of gatherings over 500 people. A tweet from an official account may be found here: http://twitter.com/SecPrensaSV/status/1237875242665570304

On March 11, President Bukele announced at a press conference the prohibitions of gatherings over 500 people. A tweet from an official account may be found here: https://twitter.com/SecPrensaSV/status/1237875242665570304

President Bukele declared an Alerta Naranja — an orange alert. He announced a national quarantine, shuttering schools for three weeks, banning gatherings of more than 500 people, barring foreigners from entering the country and imposing a 30-day quarantine on Salvadorans entering from abroad. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/el-salvador-nayib-bukele-coronavirus-quarantine/2020/03/12/d920e9a4-6404-11ea-8a8e-5c5336b32760_story.html

There is no mention of contact tracing at all.

Since March 12, the President ordered the closure of international frontiers and established that the entrance of Guatemalans or diplomats that came from abroad would be exceptional and subject to quarantine: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/internacional/20200312/coronavirus-el-salvador-cuarentena-cierra-fronteras-7885998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBIS7a8o9Pk Since March 18, El Salvador’s main airport was closed for international flights. See news report: https://www.efe.com/efe/america/mexico/el-salvador-cierra-su-aeropuerto-por-sospecha-de-covid-19-en-un-vuelo-mexico/50000545-4197463 https://www.voanoticias.com/a/el-salvador-cierra-aeropuerto-a-vuelos-comerciales-por-coronavirus-/5333593.html Since then the frontiers and airport remain closed.

On March 16, the Executive Branch ordered home quarantine for pregnant women, old adults over 60, and people with chronic diseases. The decree may be found here: https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/16-03-2020.pdf

On March 17th. The President of the Republic of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, declared a national quarantine, valid for 21 days. Among the main measures taken, the prohibition of agglomerations that exceed five hundred people was issued. Retrieved from: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/national-quarantine-in-el-salvador-to-14603/

On March 18 the Ministry of Health issued a decree that established sanitary conditions for public transport vehicles. One of the rules includes the reduction of passengers allowed per bus. There are no restrictions in terms of reduced routes or number of buses allowed to operate. https://arpas.org.sv/2020/03/minsal-transporte-publico-debe-acatar-medidas-preventivas-por-riesgo-de-covid-19/ https://diario.elmundo.sv/verifican-que-conductores-de-transporte-publico-y-particular-cumplan-medidas-por-el-covid-19/ On April 4, the President of El Salvador warned the private owners of buses that offer public service that he was willing to “nationalize” public transport if they did not comply with their routes. https://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?o=rn&id=355496&SEO=presidente-de-el-salvador-amenaza-con-nacionalizar-transporte-publico

"On March 18, the Government of El Salvador announced the country’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the municipality of Metapan. The President of El Salvador implemented a 48-hour cordón sanitario (containment area) for the entire municipality of Metapán. Movement in and out of Metapán is restricted." [ https://sv.usembassy.gov/health-alert-u-s-embassy-san-salvador-el-salvador-march-19-2020/?_ga=2.106783169.33409187.1589457363-1220301090.1586781530]

Since March 19 the government granted different forms of relief for households. According to the, IMF the government granted “a 3-month deferral of utility payments”. Here’s the links: https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/salvadorenos-no-pagaran-servicios-publicos-por-tres-meses-nayib-bukele https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

On March 21, the Executive Branch ordered national quarantine for the following 30 days with very few exceptions. The decree may be found here: https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf On April 8, the President of El Salvador announced that the general lockdown would be extended until May 5: https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/video/el-salvador-extienden-cuarentena-domiciliaria-obligatoria-coronavirus-covid-19-pkg-merlin-delcid/ https://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?o=rn&id=356052&SEO=amplian-cuarentena-a-45-dias-en-el-salvador-por-covid-19

On March 21, the Executive Branch ordered national quarantine for the following 30 days with very few exceptions. The decree may be found here: https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf

On March 21 2020- Nayib Bukele declared a 30-day curfew in response to the coronavirus crisis. Measures indicate nobody will be able to leave their houses, the exception will be to go buy food, medicine or gasoline. Only one person from a family group ( household) may do so. Retrieved from: https://www.latimes.com/espanol/california/articulo/2020-03-21/el-salvador-declara-cuarentena-domiciliar-por-30-dias-nadie-podra-salir-de-su-casa

On March 21, the Executive Branch ordered national quarantine for the following 30 days with very few exceptions. The decree may be found here: https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf

Since April 1, the government has granted a one-time US$ 300 subsidy to certain households with necessities to purchase food. The support replaces less than 50% of the lost salary. The support is not limited to formal workers. Here’s the links: https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/presidente-nayib-bukele-confirma-la-entrega-del-subsidio-de-300-a-750000-familias/ https://recursos.elsalvador.com/documentos/2020/04/ABANSA.pdf

Clases were suspended "until further notice" https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf ***///*** https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

Executive decree 19 defines and stablishes which workplaces will be considered essential. https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-19/

All public events were cancelled "until further notice" https://www.diariooficial.gob.sv/diarios/do-2020/03-marzo/21-03-2020.pdf ***///*** https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

Public transportation seems not closed, but only limited schedules https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

Executive decree 19 establishes stay at home requirement limitations of movement. https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-19/

Borders have been closed since 12/03 "until further notice". https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

April 20 2020. Announced on April 6th, the obliged home quarantine will be extended for 15 days more starting from 20 April (previous quarantine term would terminate on 19 April). President Bukele said he ordered the police to be "more strict" in order to guarantee the measures taken by the government. Reported at https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/presidente-bukele-cuarentena-coronavirus-casos-el-salvador/703498/2020/

On March 21 2020- Nayib Bukele declared a 30-day curfew in response to the coronavirus crisis. Measures indicate nobody will be able to leave their houses, the exception will be to go buy food, medicine or gasoline. Only one person from a family group ( household) may do so. Retrieved from: https://www.latimes.com/espanol/california/articulo/2020-03-21/el-salvador-declara-cuarentena-domiciliar-por-30-dias-nadie-podra-salir-de-su-casa

Diagnostic booths carry out COVID-19 tests on citizens. "Some 40 COVID-19 detection tests were carried out in one of the two Diagnostic Booths that traveled to the Government Center, on the outskirts of the Legislative Assembly, this Friday, April 24. [...] The examination is free for the entire population, which could detect a greater number of positive cases. 'We are ready as long as the pandemic lasts. We hope to reach more remote places to make more samples,' added Rodríguez." [ https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/nacional/covid-19-prueba-pandemia-cabina-salud/708854/2020/]

Schools still closed, with the government's "Departmental Directorate of Education of La Libertad is delivering 7,352 printed school guides, which are part of the second phase of Educational Continuity promoted by the Ministry of Education (MINED), following the suspension of classes due to the Covid pandemic -19." [ https://www.mined.gob.sv/noticias/item/1015521-mas-de-siete-mil-guias-escolares-son-distribuidas-en-la-libertad.html]

https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse The Ministry of Education is on Phase 2 until May 15th, providing teachers and parents with new guidelines and educational materials for the children. (See 3,b) http://www.mined.gob.sv/jdownloads/Circulares%20Institucionales/Circulares%202020/CIRCULAR%209-2020.pdf

Public events have been cancelled until further notice (See point 6) https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/ Moreover, the government has strengthened containment measures and people are not allowed to leave their houses except under very specific circumstances , which do not include public events. https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/21DCF1A0-13C1-4F31-A9E7-A1FB952E62BF.pdf

On May 5th, the government strengthened the containment measures and people are not allowed to leave their houses except under very specific circumstances ( the purchase of basic items, essential workers). https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/21DCF1A0-13C1-4F31-A9E7-A1FB952E62BF.pdf

See Art 1 (Requires people to stay at home and 8 (Details who are allowed leave home, mostly people working in the civil service, judges, journalists, caretakers and people who need to purchase basic goods. Workers must carry some proof from their employer and are only able to circulate to and from work. https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/21DCF1A0-13C1-4F31-A9E7-A1FB952E62BF.pdf

See Art 1,f. https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-21/

Formal workers: See Art. 8. The Government will subsidise 50% of the salary of employees for two months, only if the employers are registered in the ISSS (Social Security Institute) https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/3A6083F8-3BCC-4CC8-BA3C-92CB937FEED4.pdf For Informal workers, the Legislative Assembly approved funds for a program to help them to finance their production. See Art 2, III. https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/9F59A4CD-4F30-4B96-BE80-928A7A3F1688.pdf

3-month deferral of utility payments; 3-month extension for income tax payments for taxpayers operating in the tourism sector; taxpayers operating in the electricity and telecommunication provision sectors, and all taxpayers with a tax obligation below US$ 10,000; 3-month exemption from the special tourism tax for companies operating in the tourism industry. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

"El Salvador will from Thursday temporarily suspend public transport in a bid to strengthen efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic." [ https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-el-salvador-transp/el-salvador-to-suspend-public-transport-for-15-days-to-fight-coronavirus-idUSKBN22I3CD]

See Art 3 (Provides a list of essential commercial activities and industries that can operate; the last paragraph specifies that all other activities are banned) and Art 5. https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-24/

See Art 1 (Requires people to stay at home and 8 (Details who are allowed leave home, mostly people working in the civil service, judges, journalists, caretakers. Workers must carry some proof from their employer and are only able to circulate to and from work. Anyone who needs to buy basic items can go out but only on certain days, depending on the last number of their ID (See Art 4, second reference) https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/21DCF1A0-13C1-4F31-A9E7-A1FB952E62BF.pdf https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-24/ https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-24-mantiene-restricciones-de-movilidad-y-pondera-transporte-a-personal-de-salud-y-emergencias-medicas/

See Art 2, paragraph 6. People cannot travel to other municipalities unless it is for work or if there are no markets in their municipality. https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-24/ https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-24-mantiene-restricciones-de-movilidad-y-pondera-transporte-a-personal-de-salud-y-emergencias-medicas/

See Art 3.5 https://covid19.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-no-24/ https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/decreto-ejecutivo-24-mantiene-restricciones-de-movilidad-y-pondera-transporte-a-personal-de-salud-y-emergencias-medicas/

See Art 13. All suspect cases should be notified to the Ministry of Health (following a protocol that I could not find yet, not sure if it has been published, that is why it has been coded as 1). Suspect cases include asymptomatic people who have been exposed to a situation of where potential infection was possible. https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/21DCF1A0-13C1-4F31-A9E7-A1FB952E62BF.pdf

The President extended for 30 days the State of Emergency, after the National Assembly neglected to discuss his request to do so on Thursday. The State of Emergency includes school closing. https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/gobierno-prorroga-por-30-dias-mas-el-estado-de-emergencia/ https://web.archive.org/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y

https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/gobierno-prorroga-por-30-dias-mas-el-estado-de-emergencia/ https://web.archive.org/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y

The President extended for 30 days the State of Emergency, after the National Assembly neglected to discuss his request to do so on Thursday. The State of Emergency includes cancellation of payments for water, electricity, phones, cable and internet services. ://web.archive.org/web/20200518105413/ https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/gobierno-prorroga-por-30-dias-mas-el-estado-de-emergencia/ https://web.archive.org/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSgcw-B4E4Y (see 26:30)

On May 28, El Salvador started the Phase 3 of its quarantine strategy, implying a change in the approach to sanitary measures, given that the assumption is that the health system is unable to handle the volume of infected patients. Asymptomatic cases will be treated at home, while critical cases will receive treatment at hospitals. https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/el-salvador-ha-entrado-en-la-fase-3-del-covid-19-informa-el-gobierno/

"On June 2, the government allowed hardware stores and maintenance firms to re-open. The construction sector was granted permission to re-open for works related to the damage from a tropical storm." https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

"All public transportation, as well as taxi services, have also been suspended.", current with extension of lockdown. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/348571/el-salvador-authorities-extend-lockdown-measures-until-june-15-update-14

Still current - "Movement between municipalities is no longer permitted and public transport (including taxis) has been suspended." https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/staying-during-coronavirus

Still current - "San Salvador Airport (SAL) has been closed indefinitely to commercial flights, and entry to the country is prohibited for foreign nationals." https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/348571/el-salvador-authorities-extend-lockdown-measures-until-june-15-update-14

Still current through June: Formal workers: See Art. 8. The Government will subsidise 50% of the salary of employees for two months, only if the employers are registered in the ISSS (Social Security Institute) https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/3A6083F8-3BCC-4CC8-BA3C-92CB937FEED4.pdf For Informal workers, the Legislative Assembly approved funds for a program to help them to finance their production. See Art 2, III. https://www.asamblea.gob.sv/sites/default/files/documents/decretos/9F59A4CD-4F30-4B96-BE80-928A7A3F1688.pdf

No changes found other than what's already been recorded.

Comprehensive communication via government website: https://www.presidencia.gob.sv/category/emergencia-nacional-covid-19/

No change to policy.

No change to policy.

"The government began the gradual reopening of the economy on June 16. The economy will reopen in five phases, each lasting 21 days. About 50 percent of the economy is open during phase 1." https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

With some reopening of the economy, greater number of people allowed to go to work. However, general stay at home order remains. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

'Schools and universities and many other businesses and organisations, including restaurants and take away food services, are closed.' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/staying-during-coronavirus

Phase 1 of reopening of the economy still in place. Phase 2 due to start 22nd July https://covid19.gob.sv/reapertura/

Public shows and sporting events have been suspended until further notice. https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

The gathering of more than 50 people is prohibited, except for workplaces, people in circulation and bus terminals. https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

'Public transport (including taxis) has been suspended.' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/staying-during-coronavirus

A 24/7 national curfew is in place, with exceptions only for designated essential workers. One individual per household can go out to buy essential supplies from outlets within the municipality in which they live on designated days according to the final digit of their Salvadoran identity document or, in the case of foreigners, residency or passport; shops are checking compliance on entry. https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/staying-during-coronavirus

'Movement between municipalities is no longer permitted' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/staying-during-coronavirus

'The government of El Salvador have introduced a number of precautionary measures including banning entry to foreigners. Only Salvadorans, foreign residents and accredited diplomats are permitted to enter the country, and even then under strict conditions which include quarantine in a government facility. El Salvador International Airport has suspended passenger flights until further notice, and will only receive air cargo and humanitarian flights in the meantime.' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/entry-requirements

3-month deferral of utility payments https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

Measures include: a US$ 150 salary raise for all employees of the Ministry of Health and other public institutions affected by COVID-19, a one-time US$ 300 subsidy to approximately 75 percent of all households, a 3-month deferral of utility payments, a 3-month extension for income tax payments for taxpayers operating in the tourism sector with a taxable income lower than US$ 25,000, taxpayers operating in the electricity and telecommunication provision sectors, and all taxpayers with a tax obligation below US$ 10,000, a 3-month exemption from the special tourism tax for companies operating in the tourism industry. https://www.imf.org/en/Topics/imf-and-covid19/Policy-Responses-to-COVID-19

As part of the economic reactivation, new productive activities will be allowed to resume from 21 July. http://archive.fo/Q7ZjO

The Ministry of Public Works has announced the restart of the public transport service. This policy is expected to take place on Tuesday, 21 July. http://archive.fo/Q7ZjO

Though the border remains closed, commercial flights to and from El Salvador are expected to restart on 6 August. https://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/negocios/aeropuerto-el-salvador-recibira-vuelos-comerciales-6-agosto-reapertura-economica/723928/2020/

'Schools and universities and many other businesses and organisations, including eat in services, are closed.' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador

Currently in Phase 1 of reopening. Phase 2 delayed until at least 23 August. https://covid19.gob.sv/reapertura/ce/el-salvador

Public and sporting events due to resume in Phase 4 of reopening. El Salvador is currently in Phase 1. https://covid19.gob.sv/reapertura/ce/el-salvador

Gatherings of more than 50 people are banned (with the exception of in offices and on public transport) https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/

Public transport use limited to only certified healthcare personnel during Phase 1 of reopening. https://covid19.gob.sv/reapertura/ce/el-salvador

Although a 24/7 curfew has ended, the El Salvadorian Government has stressed that citizens should leave home only when strictly necessary (Over 65s, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions should not leave under any circumstances). As part of Phase 1 of reopening, exceptions are in place for essential workers and in emergency circumstances. https://covid19.gob.sv/disposiciones-del-gobierno/ https://covid19.gob.sv/reapertura/ce/el-salvador

'The government of El Salvador have introduced a number of precautionary measures including banning entry to foreigners.' https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/el-salvador/entry-requirements

Comprehensive communication via government website. https://covid19.gob.sv/

No changes to policy.

No change to policy.