Data Last Updated: September 19, 2020
General Information
El Salvador has reopened its borders to international visitors on Sept. 19. Commercial passenger flights will resume gradually, with authorities intending to operate at full capacity from early October. To be permitted entry, all passengers must present proof of a negative COVID test, taken no more than 72 hours before travel.
President Nayib Bukele has stated that to be permitted entry, all citizens, permanent residents, and nonresident foreign nationals will be required to present proof of a negative COVID test, taken no more than 72 hours before travel.
Mask Requirement

Mask is required to be worn in all public indoor, public transport and certain outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible.
Internal Restrictions/Closures
Officials in El Salvador will launch Phase 2 of its economic recovery plan to lift movement and business restrictions related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Aug. 24. Under the new directives, most commercial activity will be permitted to resume provided businesses adhere to strict operating protocols.
Beginning Aug. 24, public transport, which was previously reserved for health workers, may resume. Restaurants, which were limited to delivery and pickup services, may reopen for in-house dining. The plastic, paper and footwear industries, opticians, beauty salons, call centers, gyms, real estate, public sector work, informal commerce, and shopping centers may also reopen. Churches and places of worship are permitted to resume services.
This is in addition to reopening of businesses and services in the construction, cargo transport, medical and veterinary, public service, and repairs and maintenance sectors, under Phase 1, June 16. Some nonessential and recreational facilities will remain closed until at least Sept. 19, including cinemas and water parks.
Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, petrol stations and home delivery food outlets will operate. Restaurants and take away food services, are closed. Anyone leaving their accommodation must wear a face covering. Public transport is not operating.
Airlines & Transport
Officials in El Salvador will reopen the country's airports to all international travelers from Sept. 19; commercial passenger flights will resume gradually, with authorities intending to operate at full capacity from early October.
Status of Opening to Tourists
Information based on tourists place of residence being in that country for the last 14 days


242 Countries
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antarctica
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bonaire
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of Congo
Réunion
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sint Maarten
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Georgia
South Korea
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos
Tuvalu
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
More Details
Last Updated: September 18, 2020
With El Salvador's borders being closed for 6 months, the country is eager to reopen its tourism as safely as possible. El Salvador is officially planning to reopen its borders for international flights on September 19, 2020.
September 18 update: Officials in El Salvador will reopen the country's airports to all international travelers from Sept. 19. Commercial passenger flights will resume gradually, with authorities intending to operate at full capacity from early October. To enter, all passengers must present proof of a negative COVID test, taken no more than 72 hours before travel.
Who Can Enter El Salvador?
All nations that could visit El Salvador before will be able to once again enter the country once it's borders reopened. That is to say, all normal visa entry requirements will still be in effect.
Are there any Testing and/or Quarantine Upon Entry?
Travelers should bring a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours regardless of their nationality or country of origin. Moreover, there is no current quarantine requirement for tourists when arriving in El Salvador.
Safety Measures and Health Protocols
All travelers should wear face masks in all public indoor, public transport, and certain outdoor areas where social distancing is not possible.
What's Open in El Salvador?
- Public transportation in El Salvador is mostly not operating but may start operating again.
- Restaurants in El Salvador are open but only for takeout and delivery.
- Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, petrol stations and home delivery food outlets will operate.
El Salvador's reopening news is being updated constantly. Be sure to bookmark this blog and come back anytime for the latest news. In addition, you may want to check the detailed restriction of El Salvador here.
Sources: elsalvador.com | cepa.gob.sv
See the full blog post & comments
Information for Non-Tourists
Any person entering the country will be screened by health officials to determine if they must remain in self-quarantine. El Salvador International Airport (SAL) has suspended passenger flights. Air and land cargo transportation, as well as humanitarian flights and vessels, are not affected by the restrictions.
On Sept 16, President Nayib Bukele has stated that to be permitted entry, all citizens, permanent residents, and nonresident foreign nationals will be required to present proof of a negative COVID test, taken no more than 72 hours before travel.
67,851
Cases2,082
Deaths10,419
Cases Per Million
Graph of COVID-19 Cases In Last 30 Days
For El Salvador