Argentina: Authorities extend COVID-19 measures until September 20 /update 25

Event

Argentinian President Alberto Fernández has announced that measures in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are to be extended until September 20, as the country sees a week of record infections and deaths from the disease. However, the president also authorized the lifting of a ban on outdoor social gatherings on Friday, as well as announced the reopening of bars and restaurants in Buenos Aires. Groups of up to ten people may meet in the open air, provided they maintain social distancing and wear face masks. Restaurants and bars in Buenos Aires will be open for outdoor dining from Monday, August 31.

Argentina's borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents until further notice. While the Argentine government is permitting a limited number of exceptional international flights, all scheduled international flights have been suspended until Tuesday September 1. Most domestic flights are also suspended until September 1. International cargo, medical, and humanitarian transport are exempt with enhanced screening measures reportedly in place for airline crew and truck drivers. Free movement within each jurisdiction is permitted in most areas not under Phase 1 restrictions, so long as social distancing regulations are observed. Inter-provincial travel is prohibited for most individuals and security forces have erected checkpoints along thoroughfares to ensure this; generally, only essential workers are permitted to travel between provinces. 

Restrictions vary by localities in Argentina. Authorities decide on restrictions in localities based on availability of beds at local hospitals. Further information regarding COVID-19 restrictions can be found here.

As of Friday, August 28 there have been 380,292 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Argentina and 8129 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in 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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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.