Evolution Of The Measures Taken By The Bolivian Government Against Covid-19 (Bolivia)

After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Bolivian Government took several labor, tax, financial, customs and educational measures to stop the massive spread of this virus in society, as well as to reduce the effects of this pandemic on Bolivian society, in particular, on groups in a deprived economic situation.

This time, we decided to share with our readers and clients a compilation of all regulations (updated to March 27) related to the most important measures taken by the Bolivian Government against COVID-19, among these, we highlight the following:

• Health Emergency Declaration and mandatory quarantine in the entire territory of Bolivia. Work for public and private companies is temporarily suspended until April 15.
• Circulation of motorized vehicles during the quarantine is prohibited for public and private persons that do no have special authorization.
• Exceptionally, Companies that perform activities and services declared as essential during the emergency are exempted from the suspension of labors and the prohibition to circulate. These companies (pharmaceutical, energy, financial services, and other basic and indispensable services) should have a special permit issued by the Competent Authority.
• Ground, river, lake transportation and international flights are suspended from March 21 to April 15.
• Border closure from March 20 to April 15.
• Employees are entitled to earn 100% of their salary while the quarantine continues.
• Until December 31, 2020, the importation of supplies, medicines, medical devices, equipment, reagents and fever detectors acquired or donated, related to COVID-19, are deferred to 0%.
• Financial Entities are instructed to implement deferred payment mechanisms for loans until June 2020.
• Payment of the Gross Profit Tax (“IUE” in Spanish) initially due in April is deferred until May 29. People and companies may pay the tax through facilities of up to 3 monthly payments, without fines.
• The Government will grant: (i) a monthly Bonus to families with children in public schools (equivalent to $us 72 per chil); (ii) a family's basic needs package will be awarded to Bolivian families with the lowest incomes; and (iii) will assume a percentage payment on electricity and water bills during the months of April, May and June 2020.
• Fines and sanctions are established for those people and entities that fail to comply with the measures assumed by the Government.

Additionally, the following compilation of regulations provides easy access to the Bolivian regulations referenced above. This compilation shows the evolution of these measures.

Statement No. 12/2020 from the Ministry of Labor of March 26, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.mintrabajo.gob.bo/index.php/comunicacion/27-destacados/1270-comunicado-12-2020.html

Ministry of Productive Development and Plural Economy Statement of March 26, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://produccion.gob.bo/2020/03/comunicado/

Supreme Decree No. 4200 of March 25, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7276/decreto-supremo-4200

Statement No. 11/2020 from the Ministry of Labor of March 24, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.mintrabajo.gob.bo/index.php/comunicacion/27-destacados/1268-comunicado-11-2020.html

Statement No. 10/2020 from Ministry of Labor of March 21, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.mintrabajo.gob.bo/index.php/comunicacion/27-destacados/1263-comunicado-10-2020.html

Supreme Decree No. 4199 of March 21, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7269/decreto-supremo-4199

MEMO/ASFI/DNP/CC-2598/2020 of March 19, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.asfi.gob.bo/images/ASFI/DOCS/SALA_DE_PRENSA/Cartas_Circulares/CC-2598.pdf

Supreme Decree No. 4198 of March 18, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7268/decreto-supremo-4198

Supreme Decree No. 4197 of March 18, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7267/decreto-supremo-4197

Ministerial Resolution No. 189/20 of March 18, 2020

Statement No. 09/2020 from the Ministry of Labor of March 18, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.mintrabajo.gob.bo/index.php/comunicacion/27-destacados/1262-comunicado-09-2020.html

Supreme Decree No. 4196 of March 17, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7266/decreto-supremo-4196

Supreme Decree No. 4192 of March 16, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7265/decreto-supremo-4192

Statement No. 08/2020 from the Ministry of Labor of March 16, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://www.mintrabajo.gob.bo/images/Comunicados/2020/comunicado-08-2020.pdf

Bi-Ministerial Resolution No. 001/20 of March 13, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7263/resolución-biministerial-01-2020

Supreme Decree No. 4179 of March 12, 2020

Please find the cited regulation in the following link: https://bolivia.infoleyes.com/norma/7262/decreto-supremo-4179