Clearly, COVID has generated an important focus on public health . It is important to follow official announcements and to help make sure misinformation and rumors are not spread. While the risks should not be dismissed, they should not be exaggerated either.

Maximo Nivel is a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. As such, we are optimally situated to monitor the COVID environment in each country and around our campuses. Our institutes serve as an important home-base for all students, faculty, clients, and other program participants. Please consider the Maximo Nivel institutes your centers for health and safety information. You can always use free WiFi, computer lab, enjoy free coffee and tea, and get ongoing updates about COVID in English, Spanish and other languages spoken by our teams. 

As of **01 Apr 2022** Costa Rica has removed all COVID entry restrictions.

However, all visitors entering Costa Rica must meet the following 2 requirements:

1) You must have an outbound ticket leaving Costa Rica within 90 days of your entry. You can always extend your stay later and you can purchase a refundable ticket if you intend to spend more time in Costa Rica. Proof of onward travel is required at the time you check-in for your flight at your home airport. Print out proof of your outbound ticket and carry it with you while traveling. If asked by immigration for the address where you are staying in Costa Rica provide the following: Calle 1 de La Farmacia La Bomba 75m Sur, San Pedro-Montes de Oca, San Jose

2) Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you enter Costa Rica.

All visitors entering Guatemala must meet the following 4 requirements:

1) Proof of Vaccination: Visitors arriving in Guatemala can present evidence of at least 2 doses of COVID vaccine, at least two weeks before arrival, or recovery from COVID within three months prior to arrival. We recommend these documents be verified and signed by a doctor in your home country.

–OR–

COVID-19 Negative Test: Travelers must have a COVID-19 negative test dated no more than 72 hours prior to their travel date to Guatemala. Currently, there are 2 tests that are accepted: a) the “real-time polymerase chain reaction test,” also called RT -PCR test and b) the Rapid Antigen test. These are the only tests that are accepted. The test results must be stated in English or Spanish. Children under the age of 10 do not need a COVID test. Print out your test results and carry it with you while traveling

2) You must have an outbound ticket leaving Guatemala within 90 days of your entry. You can always extend your stay later and you can purchase a refundable ticket if you intend to spend more time in Guatemala. Proof of onward travel is required at the time you check-in for your flight at your home airport. Print out proof of your outbound ticket and carry it with you while traveling.

3) Provide the following address if you’re asked or prompted for a local address in Guatemala: 6th Avenue North #16, Antigua, Guatemala.

4) Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you enter Guatemala.

All visitors entering Peru must meet the following 5 requirements:

1) Proof of Vaccination: Visitors 12 years of age or older can present proof of being fully vaccinated with at least 3 doses of COVID vaccine, 14 days prior to boarding at their point of origin.

OR

Visitors who are not fully vaccinated must present a molecular RT-PCR test with a negative result (within 72 hours)  prior to boarding an incoming flight to Peru, in accordance with current health regulations. Children under 12 years of age must only be asymptomatic prior to boarding an incoming flight to Peru.

2) Complete an “Electronic Sworn Declaration” form, which is available here. This form is automatically filed when the traveler fills it out online. When prompted for Nationality the choices are in the Spanish language. Residents of the United States should select EE.UU, people from the United Kingdom should select Gran Bretaña, people from Germany should select Alemania, and so on; use Google translate when in doubt. When prompted for the Destination Department, Destination Province, Destination District enter Cusco for all 3 fields. Enter the following address when prompted for a local address: Avenue El Sol #612, Cusco, Peru. Print this document and bring a copy with you.

3) You must have an outbound ticket leaving Peru within 180 days of your entry. You can always extend your stay later and you can purchase a refundable ticket if you intend to spend more time in Peru. Proof of onward travel is required at the time you check-in for your flight at your home airport. Print out proof of your outbound ticket and carry it with you while traveling.

4) Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you enter Peru.

5) You must have at least 2 facemasks available at all times, as you will be required to double mask on the flight to Cusco. We also recommend bringing a plastic face shield.

While you are in-country, if you need a COVID test in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru we can help you book it with our pre-approved clinics.

– Costa Rica: ₡59.000 (USD $100 approx.). Various clinics available, very close to the Maximo Nivel institute.

– Guatemala: USD $25-$35 for the Rapid Antigen Test and $80-$100 for the RT-PCR test. Various clinics are available very close to the Maximo Nivel institute.

– Peru: S/ 70 for the Rapid Antigen Test (USD $20 approx.) and S/ 400 for the RT-PCR test (USD $110 approx.). Various clinics are available very close to the Maximo Nivel institute.

Maximo Nivel has implemented the following protocol:

– Local regulations may include: mask-wearing, hand-sanitizer at entry, body temperature taken at entry, social distancing.
– We are disinfecting surfaces multiple times per day for public areas and classrooms.
– Communication on-site, through in-person meetings and posters in high visibility areas at each institute.
– Maximo Nivel has a Response Team that monitors official communications daily.

Maximo Nivel has a 5-level decision-making process to guide our Response Team. Based on the latest information, Maximo Nivel Costa Rica is at Level 2; Maximo Nivel Guatemala is at Level 2; and Maximo Nivel Peru is at Level 2.

LEVEL CRITERIA
Level 1
No Risk		 – No known cases of COVID on or near Maximo Nivel campuses
– Very few cases of COVID in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru
– Follow CDC and WHO announcements about COVID
Level 2
Low Risk		 – A limited number of COVID cases near Maximo Nivel campuses
– No Maximo Nivel participant, faculty, or staff identified with COVID
– Follow CDC and WHO announcements about COVID
Level 3
Moderate Risk		 – Limited number of COVID cases within the regions of Maximo Nivel’s campuses
– Moderate community spread of COVID regionally
– Follow information and mandates from local Health Ministries
– Follow recommendations from CDC and WHO
Level 4
Medium Risk		 – Spread of COVID regionally and within Maximo Nivel participants, students, and staff
– Continue following all information and mandates from local Health Ministries, CDC, WHO
– Self isolation and limited office hours may be government mandated
Level 5
High Risk		 – Wide spread infection of COVID
– Continue following all information and mandates from local Health Ministries, CDC, WHO
– Maximo Nivel institutes will remain open to serve all clients, according to local regulations

If you or anyone at your project placement feels they are experiencing COVID symptoms, please:

1. Advise your onsite project director immediately.
2. Advise your Maximo Nivel Field Manager OR the Urgent Services Manager, depending on the time of day, immediately.
3. You must be tested for COVID at a local clinic (at your cost).
4. You will be quarantined until test results are received. This is usually takes 12 to 24 hours.
5. Depending on test results, then you may return to your project/classes (if negative) or receive additional medical assistance (if positive).
6. You will continue quarantine based on doctor recommendations.
7. The Maximo Nivel team will provide ongoing support to you throughout the process.

Additional Resources