Uruguay: Government reinforces security at Brazilian border due to COVID-19 May 25 /update 5

Event

The Uruguayan government has announced on Monday, May 25, that sanitary control measures in the city of Rivera, at the Brazilian border, will be reinforced following a recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the city. Additional health checks, random tests for COVID-19, and increased border control will be put in place in Rivera. Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou has announced that schools in the area will no longer reopen on Monday, June 15, due to a potential COVID-19 outbreak, and additional health resources such as ambulances and intensive care beds were being sent to Rivera. Inspections will also be scheduled for local businesses that will remain open to ensure that health and safety guidelines are being followed.

All international flights originating from Europe have been suspended since Friday, March 20. On Wednesday, March 25, Uruguayan authorities announced that all foreign travelers, except for citizens and legal residents, will be prohibited from entering the country.

As of Tuesday, May 26, authorities have confirmed 787 cases of COVID-19 and 22 associated deaths in Uruguay. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, seek medical care urgently and share your previous travel history with your health care provider.