Bolivia loses up to US$10 million a day due to delayed truck entry into Chile

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – For the past 2 weeks, a 45-kilometer long line of trucks has formed along the border with Chile, due to the Chilean authorities’ delay in testing Bolivian truckers for Covid-19.

The negative test is a mandatory requirement for drivers to enter Chile, both to deliver and take export and import cargo. The delay is due to the fact that the Chilean side is working at 50% capacity.

Blanco said that Bolivia offered to cooperate with the Chilean authorities in performing tests to increase the flow of vehicles.

“There are economic losses for the State, every day around US$10 million per day is lost, according to studies by the Latin American Integration Association; but there are also costs directly related to the international transport sector, such as lodging,” Blanco said.

Bolivian Chamber of National and International Transport president Alfredo Borja said that there are 2,000 trucks expected to wait up to 5 days for sanitary tests.

The leader said that this has caused operating costs to increase between US$100 and US$200 per day.

Blanco said a response from the Chilean government is awaited, which consists of the National Institute of Health Laboratories (INLASA) performing PCR tests on Bolivian truckers stranded at the Chungará – Tambo Quemado border crossing. Chile said it would respond within 72 hours.