Argentina: Authorities extend nationwide COVID-19 restrictions until October 11 /update 26

Event

Argentinian authorities have extended nationwide restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as part of the national response and recovery plan until at least October 11. Measures across the country can vary by province or city; provincial governments have the authority to specify their own measures in addition to those enforced at the national level. Local authorities decide on restrictions in localities based on the availability of beds at local hospitals. Further information regarding COVID-19 restrictions can be found here.

Argentina's borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents until further notice. While the Argentine government is permitting a limited number of exceptional flights, all scheduled international flights have been suspended until at least October 12. International cargo, medical, and humanitarian transport are exempt with enhanced screening measures reportedly in place for airline crew and truck drivers.

The ban on outdoor social gatherings has been lifted, and bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires were allowed to reopen while following guidelines. Groups of up to ten people may meet in the open air, provided they maintain social distancing and wear face masks.

As of Wednesday, September 23, there have been 652,174 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Argentina with 13,952 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be 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, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.