RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Uruguay is one of Argentines’ favorite destinations, both for its geographical and cultural proximity: many spend their vacations in the neighboring country or own properties there.
In fact, in pre-pandemic years, the flow of Argentines traveling to President Luis Lacalle Pou’s country for tourism represented 60% of all visitors entering Uruguay, with a strong preference for Punta del Este and other coastal areas.
A year and a half after the outbreak of the pandemic, Uruguay will finally open its borders for tourism. This was confirmed by Lacalle Pou’s ambassador to Argentina Carlos Enciso. In radio statements, he explained that only a few Argentines will be able to enter as from September, and that the bulk of the tourist flow will be allowed entry from November, for the summer season.
“As of September, property owners in Uruguay will be allowed entry. And as from November, entry will be granted to people who want to vacation, visit family, friends, visitors of all kinds,” Enciso specified.
According to the ambassador, this achievement is the result of Uruguay’s intensive vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, which has now covered 70% of its population with both doses, a decisive policy behind the sharp drop in the number of positive cases observed in recent weeks.
In the past, in order to enter Uruguay with a foreign passport, the reason for entry needed to be demonstrated by presenting supporting documentation (work, family relationship, health), an exceptional entry procedure with a number of requirements and, finally, the completion of the Traveler’s Health Declaration, a step that required a negative PCR test performed at least 72 hours prior to travel.
In addition, the Uruguayan government maintained the obligation to undergo a 14-day quarantine at home once in the country, which will now be lifted provided a number of requirements are met.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FROM SEPTEMBER
As Enciso stated, “entry in September with a sworn statement is restricted to owners,” so only property owners in Uruguay will be able to enter the country.
“As far as Argentines are concerned, this is a large number, historically important from Colonia to Rocha, passing through the major areas such as Maldonado, Punta del Este or Montevideo,” the ambassador said.
Thus, those wishing to visit their properties in Uruguay to “prepare them for use or rent them in the summer” will be allowed entry as of September 1 upon production of a negative PCR test performed at least 72 hours prior to the trip and a certificate confirming a full vaccination schedule.
Although Lacalle Pou lifted the 14-day quarantine requirement upon entering the country if all the necessary vaccine doses are completed, owners traveling with their families may still enter the country with unvaccinated children aged between 12 and 18, although they must comply with the 2-week isolation period which may be shortened by performing a PCR test 7 days after arrival, which must be negative.
On the other hand, in the event of complying with the same conditions – complete vaccination record and negative PCR – non-owners will be allowed to enter Uruguay as of November for tourism purposes.
Enciso said that “the Uruguayan government defined that in November we will allow the general entry of fully vaccinated tourists. And although a PCR test with a negative result will still be required, visitors will not be required to undergo quarantine.”