Uruguay: Authorities to suspend all entry into the country and tighten COVID-19 restrictions Dec. 21-Jan. 10. /update 9

Authorities in Uruguay to suspend all entry into the country and tighten COVID-19-related restrictions Dec. 21-Jan. 10, 2021.

Event

Effective Dec. 21, authorities in Uruguay will suspend all entry into the country and tighten restrictions on internal activities. The stricter measures will be enforced until Jan. 10, 2021 and are in response to a spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case numbers and to curb the spread of the disease over the holiday period. All establishments must continue to adhere to strict physical distancing and sanitization requirements. The government continues to urge the public to maintain social distancing, wear a facemask in public places, and avoid large gatherings.

International Travel Restrictions
While most international leisure travel is already suspended and only certain groups of people are permitted into the country subject to pre-approval, effective Dec. 21, all passenger travel into the country will be suspended. The travel ban excludes cargo transportation. Only Uruguayan nationals who purchased tickets on or before Dec. 16 will be allowed entry. All arriving passengers must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arrival. All persons entering the country must complete a seven-day self-quarantine. If the traveler is staying in the country for more than seven days, the traveler will be required to take another COVID-19 test on the seventh day or to complete an additional seven days of self-quarantine.

Domestic Restrictions
Over the same period Dec. 21-Jan. 10, 2021, officials will also enforce stricter restrictions on commercial and group activities, and transportation. The following measures will be enforced:

Telework has been mandated at all public offices. The private sector has been urged to adopt similar protocols.
Private meetings and gatherings are to be limited to groups of no more than 10 people.
All public shows are suspended.
Restaurants, bars, and similar establishments are still required to close by 2359 daily.
Gyms may operate at 30-percent capacity indoors; with a maximum of one-hour sessions. All changing rooms are to remain closed.
Shopping malls and commercial centers must increase their operating hours and reduce their operating capacity. Traditional fairs must also comply with capacity limits.
Interdepartmental passenger transport will be limited to 50-percent capacity during peak mobility periods.

Authorities could further tighten, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on local disease activity. Highly targeted localized measures could be enforced in some areas assessed to be high-risk.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.