Government announced plans to mitigate economic crisis
On March 26 and 29, 2020, President Alejandro Giammatei reported short- and long-term actions the Government of Guatemala is planning to minimize the health and economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amongst other funds, the president announced that $90 million will be used to fund the health network, and another $13 million will also be readily available to test citizens for COVID-19.
Finally, the president announced the possibility of allocating part of the national budget to the following:
$51 million are contemplated to support medium and small companies.
$13 million for the elderly.
$13 million will be given to support farmers and $90 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food and the Ministry of Social Development, to distribute food to some 160,000 vulnerable families.
As of today, the borders remain closed, citizens have mandatory curfew extended to April 12, and many businesses (restaurants, call centers, offices) have been closed until
further notice. However, essential industries such as agroindustry and food manufacturing are still allowed to operate under rigorous health standards.
Source: Diario de Centroamérica.