Argentina: Authorities to establish vehicular checkpoints at access routes to city of Buenos Aires on May 8

Event

Authorities in Buenos Aires Province plan to establish checkpoints and impose traffic controls on most major access points to the city of Buenos Aires on May 8 as part of ongoing COVID-19 restrictions. Those traveling between the nation's capital and the surrounding province should be prepared to show valid vehicle documentation, including registration and driver's license, as well as submit to health controls such as temperature checks. Additionally, between the hours of 20:00 and 06:00, persons crossing between the city and province should be prepared to show a safe-conduct pass generated by the "Cuidar" application as part of ongoing movement restrictions in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) region. While all roads between the province and city may be subject to checkpoints, officials are likely to particularly target the General Paz, Panamericana, and Acceso Oeste crossings.

Context

Similar vehicle controls along the provincial/city border were previously carried out on May 1 and resulted in severe traffic delays. Provincial officials have stated that their goal in setting up the checkpoints, in addition to performing health checks, is to dissuade all non-necessary movement due to the wave of COVID-19 cases that the country is experiencing; healthcare facilities remain particularly strained in the AMBA region.

Advice

Those with plans to travel between the city of Buenos Aires and locations in the surrounding province on May 8 should budget considerably more time than they would otherwise need. Travels booked on flights should take particular note, as Buenos Aires' Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) is located outside city boundaries in Buenos Aires Province.