Uruguay: Flights from Europe to be suspended from March 20

Event

Uruguay will ban all flights to and from Europe starting at 00:01 (local time) on Friday, March 20, in an effort to reduce imported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) into the country. President Luis Lacalle Pou also announced during a press conference on Monday, March 16, that the border with Argentina will be completely closed as of 01:00 on Tuesday, March 17, including the suspension of all sea, air, and land travel. Individuals arriving from China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany are also required to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival. Other preventative measures remain in effect, including the temporarily closure of schools and the suspension of sporting events.

As of March 16, 29 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Uruguay. Further international spread of COVID-19 is expected over the coming days and weeks.

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.