Guatemala: DTM Baseline assessment of irregular migration flows and mobility monitoring in border crossing points within the context of COVID-19, Round 3 - March 2021
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In recent months the COVID-19 Pandemic, along with the subsequent impact of Hurricanes Eta and Iota on the region, exacerbated the economic and labor crises affecting the Central American countries. Then the change of administration in the United States created among the migrant population expectations of more flexible migration policies.
On 19 March 2021 the Mexican Government ordered the closure of its southern borders (with Guatemala and Belize) to non-essential activities for one month, to prevent propagation of the new SARS-CoV-2 strain. On 29 March 2021, the Guatemalan Government declared a State of Prevention in the border Departments of Izabal, Zacapa, Chiquimula, El Progreso, and Petén in order to address the passage of migrant caravans from Honduras, under the justification of promoting order and governability and ensuring the security of the Guatemalan inhabitants.