Argentina closes its land borders in view of the pandemic’s advance

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the entry into force of this rule, which was published this Monday, March 29, in the Federal Gazette, people will only be able to enter the national territory by plane through the authorized entry points: the international airports of Ezeiza and San Fernando (both in the province of Buenos Aires), the Jorge Newbery Airport (capital city) and the port of the city of Buenos Aires.

The border crossings were closed for the last time, after a year of closures and partial openings, last December 24, when the National Direction of Migration decreed the air route as the only means of entry, while regulation of January 8 allowed land entry to those who left the country between April and December, who from now on have again the only means of access by plane.

However, entry to the country is still subject to the previous regulation, which keeps all borders closed to foreign tourism, so that, according to the regulation, “anyone who is not Argentine and wants to enter the country for the purpose of tourism will not be able to do so.”

The Government decided to suspend as from last Saturday all regular flights connecting the country with Brazil, Chile, and Mexico, after the increase of cases of Covid-19 in those nations.

Thus, these three countries join the United Kingdom as those with which Argentina has suspended flights, due to the authorities’ fear of a second wave of contagions on its own soil.

These are measures taken by the Government “considering the rapid evolution of the epidemiological conditions”, with several variants of Covid-19 in circulation which Argentina seeks to prevent while advancing with its vaccination campaign, which so far has 2.9 million vaccinated with the first dose and 665,656 with both doses, among its 45 million inhabitants.

There will also be more control for Argentines and residents returning from abroad. In addition to the coronavirus detection test to be taken before embarking to Argentina, there will be another one to be taken upon arrival in the country and a third one seven days after re-entry, always at the passenger’s expense.

With these measures, the Argentine government “recommends all Argentines and residents not to travel abroad”, especially those belonging to risk groups.

Argentina, the South American country with the third-most cases, after Brazil and Colombia, has already accumulated 2.3 million cases and 55,400 deaths due to Covid-19.

Source: Biobiochile