Uruguay: Authorities extend COVID-19-related border closure through Jan. 31, but plan to ease some internal restrictions /update 10

Uruguay extends border closure until Jan. 31. COVID-19-related restrictions on entertainment establishments and public shows to be eased.

Event

Authorities in Uruguay announced they will extend the existing border closures to all travelers from Jan. 10 until Jan. 31, while easing some internal restrictions which were tightened to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 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
Officials initially suspended all passenger travel into the country Dec. 21, 2020. Nonetheless, most international leisure travel was already suspended and only certain groups of people were permitted into the country subject to pre-approval. The travel ban excludes cargo transportation. At the time of the initial border closure announcement, officials stated that only Uruguayan nationals who purchased tickets on or before Dec. 16 were allowed entry; it is unclear if officials will make provisions for any other nationals wanting to enter the country. 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
Some restrictions will be eased from Jan. 10, when the tightened measures were due to end. Restaurants, bars, and similar establishments will be required to close by 0200 instead of 2359. Public shows will be allowed to resume, but subject to strict capacity limits, and sports may continue without spectators. The following restrictions will continue to be enforced unchanged:

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.
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.