Uruguay: Authorities to reopen borders to nationals and foreign residents from Feb. 1 following COVID-19-related closure /update 11

Uruguay to reopen borders to nationals, residents from Feb. 1; most foreign nationals remain banned due to COVID-19. Other measures remain.

Event

Effective Feb. 1, authorities will partially reopen borders to nationals and foreign residents; however, most nonresident foreign leisure travelers will remain banned. Officials had implemented a total closure of the borders to all passengers Dec. 21-Jan. 31, 2020 to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) over the holiday period. Authorities have also announced that previously established domestic restrictions that are due to stay in place until Jan. 31 will be extended until further notice. The following international travel and domestic restrictions will remain in place from Feb. 1:

International Travel Restrictions
Officials stated that the Feb. 1 partial border reopening will be the same as the period prior to the total closure Dec. 21. Under these orders, in addition to nationals and foreign residents, the temporary entry of certain foreign nationals is permitted subject to prior approval, for family reunification or labor, economic, business, and judicial purposes. Aircraft and ship crews may also enter. Officials also allowed Brazilian nationals residing at the border to enter if they remained in the border cities in which they arrive. Despite the continued ban on entry for most foreign passenger travel, cargo transport and humanitarian and repatriation flights are continuing normally.

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
The following previously announced restrictions will continue to be enforced until further notice:

Restaurants, bars, and similar establishments are required to close by 0200.
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.
Public shows are allowed subject to strict capacity limits, and sports may continue without spectators.
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.