Argentina: Authorities extend lockdown through August 16 /update 23

Event

President Alberto Fernandez announced on Friday, July 31, that Argentina will extend its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown through August 16, as virus cases continue to rise. The lockdown was scheduled to expire on Sunday, August 2. 

A face mask or other garment must be used in public at all times to cover the nose and mouth. A strict lockdown is in place in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires; the capital Buenos Aires has one of the highest concentrations of new cases, along with the province of Buenos Aires. In other parts of the country free movement is allowed within each jurisdiction provided that social distancing rules are adhered to. Argentina's borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents. While the Argentine government is permitting a limited number of exceptional international flights, all scheduled international flights have been suspended until September 1.

Fernández announced on July 17 that some COVID-19 restrictions would begin to be eased in order to try and gradually restore some normalcy to the country, including the reopening of some shops and recreation spaces. 

As of July 31, 185,373 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Argentina, with 3466 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.