Certain constitutional rights are temporarily restricted in El Salvador to stem the spread of COVID-19. Groups of more than 50 people are no longer allowed to gather.

Through Legislative Decree 594, El Salvador has temporarily restricted the constitutional rights of freedom of movement, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of residence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The legislative decree grants the Executive Power the authority to issue an Executive Decree outlining the restrictions on the freedom of movement. The restrictions apply to specific cases and focus on affected zones. The restrictions also apply to the entry of foreign travelers and the circulation of people in affected areas.

The restrictions on freedom of peaceful assembly include prohibitions of gatherings, except for religious, cultural, economic and sports meetings previously authorized by the Public Health Authorities. As of today, the President has restricted, through various communications, meetings of more than 50 people.

The legislative decree does not restrict the entry of Salvadoran travelers; however, all of them must submit to sanitary measures established by the Public Health Authorities.

The following constitutional rights are not restricted: freedom of speech, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association, non-interference of correspondence and telecommunications, as well as other constitutional rights not contemplated in the legislative decree.

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