Argentina: Authorities announce strict new COVID-19 restrictions nationwide through May 30 /update 34

Event

Authorities in Argentina plan to impose a nine-day lockdown May 22-30 in response to an increase in COVID-19 infections. The directive will apply to all areas of the country designated as being at the "high" or "public health and epidemiological alert" risk level for disease transmission; these designations include essentially all of Argentina with the exception of certain parts of Misiones, Santiago del Estero, and Jujuy provinces.

Under the May 22-30 lockdown order, a strict 18:00-06:00 curfew will be in force, during which time frame all persons must remain in their residences unless attending to essential tasks; residents are also limited to movements in the immediate vicinity of their homes. Moreover, with the exception of virtual events, all religious, educational, and sports-related activities will be suspended. Restaurants and bars may only offer carry-out or delivery services. Malls, discotheques, gyms, and casinos must remain closed. Social gatherings will be prohibited and only essential workers may use public transport.

The government in Buenos Aires plans to return the country to more relaxed restrictions May 31-June 11, although a weekend lockdown is slated for June 5-6. During the relaxed restrictions period (not including June 5-6), a nightly 20:00-06:00 curfew will be in force. Restaurants and bars will be allowed to offer on-premises service in outdoor areas until 19:00 daily. Non-essential businesses may only operate between the hours of 06:00-19:00. Malls, discotheques, gyms, and casinos must remain closed. Indoor sporting activities will be prohibited, as will indoor social gatherings; outdoor gatherings will be capped at no more than 10 persons. Entertainment and religious activities will be suspended and only essential workers may use public transport.

Local and regional authorities may enforce more restrictive measures if they consider it necessary. Nationwide, group tourist travel remains banned and persons at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 must be allowed to work remotely.

International Travel
All ports of entry remain closed to most nonresident foreign nationals until further notice. Only citizens, legal residents, and foreign nationals authorized to travel for employment, commercial, diplomatic, sporting events, or essential family reunification reasons are allowed entry. Passengers may transit Argentinian airports provided they remain within the facility and their onward flights depart within 24 hours. Passenger flights from the UK, Chile, Mexico, and Brazil remain banned, with the exception of limited flights for repatriating Argentinian citizens. The closure of the land borders to residents of Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil will also stay in force; land borders are only open for nationals and residents who left the country April-Dec. 25, 2020. A reduced number of flights to and from Europe, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, and the US remain available. Generally, international cargo, medical, and humanitarian transport operations are running normally; however, truck drivers and aircraft flight crews may be subject to enhanced screening measures.

Persons permitted entry - including Argentinian nationals, residents, and authorized foreign nationals - must complete an affidavit for the National Directorate of Migration up to 48 hours before travel and provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before travel. Nonresident foreign nationals must also provide proof of medical insurance. All arrivals must complete a mandatory self-quarantine for a total of 10 days after taking the PCR test. Travelers may be subject to additional testing upon arrival.

Domestic Travel
Domestic flights, along with long-distance bus and train services, are operating, though significant cancellations may occur during lockdown periods; circulation passes may be required to travel to/from airports. Authorities continue to restrict interprovincial travel, which is largely reserved only for essential workers and other authorized persons. Some provinces and municipalities may enforce local entry requirements, including mandates to present negative results from COVID-19 testing.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, tighten, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and business appointments. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.