Expat Coronavirus Report

Coronavirus in Porlamar, Venezuela

Guest Submission

Mar 21, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. He replied...

So far Margarita Island has no Virus. Muduro has locked down the whole country the mainland is in dire straights Caracas has no water and no petrol. Here on the island we are confined to our houses or apartments. But things are quiet and not stressed. I still go to the beach for a swim a walk to the shops get food.

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? He replied...

All seems to be quiet no problems I assume the poor Venezuelans would be struggling for food and water.

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? He replied...

My family and myself only have problems getting money on the black market from Colombia as the border is now closed. So shortage of money is the biggest problem as we need to transfer from Australia to Colombia then exchange dollars to local currency as inflation is 2 million% it's a huge problem here with the US sanctions.

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. He replied...

The government has locked down the whole country for 40 days. I do not know if we have a virus in Venezuela. If it happens there is no hospital service and no medical info structure as people are dying in Venezuela from normal infrctions and illnesses without this virus. No medicines here no medical service available here.

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. He replied...

Nothing that I know of lol.

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? He replied...

No shortage if you have money.

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? He replied...

Nothing we can do.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? He replied...

Youtube movies and internet WeChat WhatsApp.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? He replied...

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. He replied...

I'm a veteran so would need to go back to Australia for any medical needs for free.

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? He replied...

None in Venezuela thanks rather stay in house.

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. He replied...