Covid-19: Omicron threatens Argentine borders with Paraguay, Brazil and Chile

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus is complicating the reopening of Argentine borders with Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. Particularly the latter, where cases have increased.

The first Omicron case detected on Sunday, December 5, is forcing a reassessment of the border protocol by the Argentine Ministry of Health.

The Ministry reported that the patient infected by the new variant has been in isolation since his arrival, as well as 4 close contacts, and that none of them has symptoms.

The first Omicron case in the country concerns a 38-year-old resident of the San Luis province, who attended a work event in South Africa and returned to the country on November 30.

“The traveler presented a complete vaccination schedule and a history of Covid-19 in March 2021. A PCR test was performed prior to the return trip to Argentina (where he arrived via the United States) according to the established protocols, with negative results,” the Ministry of Health added.

“Upon arrival, an antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 was performed at Ezeiza International Airport, also with negative results. He was transferred from the airport to his home in the province of San Luis in a rented car with driver. Since his arrival, he has been in isolation,” added Minister Carla Vizzotti’s portfolio.

BORDERS WITH PARAGUAY

Before the emergence of the new variant, all indications were that border crossings between Paraguay and Argentina would be reopened before December 25, according to authorities. To date, only the Encarnación and Posadas border crossing, through the San Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge, has been reopened between the two countries.

A meeting to discuss a sanitary protocol was to be held to formalize the reopening of these border crossings by Christmas, before the Omicron emerged in Argentina, said Paraguay’s Migration Director General Ángeles Arriola, but now the outlook is uncertain.

The safe corridor of the San Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge, which links Encarnación (Itapúa) and Posadas (Misiones province) currently allows the passage of 5,000 people per day. The 1,600 quota was increased to prevent situations of “stranded people.”

BORDERS WITH BRAZIL

The Omicron is now at the border with Brazil. A woman recently arrived from a trip to South Africa was diagnosed with the new variant of the coronavirus in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, on the border with Argentina.

Argentine ambassador to Brazil Daniel Scioli tweeted that he was in a meeting with a delegation headed by Rio Grande do Sul deputy Federico Antunez and Federal Government officials to discuss the reopening of borders, among other issues. However, nothing has yet been announced.

Last Tuesday, November 30, Zicosur Binational Association of Tourism chairman Darci Zanotelli said that the reopening of land borders in Brazil for foreign tourists “will not be possible in December,” due to “complications caused by the pandemic,” he explained. However, the reopening in January 2022 is increasingly more likely.

“We discussed the issue of the Pepirí Guazú border crossing as well as others with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explore the possibility of reopening the borders for tourists, but it will not be feasible in December,” he said.

With respect to welcoming Argentine tourists to Brazil’s traditional beaches during the summer season, Zanotelli said that “the presence of Argentine tourists is very important for us due to the large economic activity and for them to enjoy Brazilian beaches, therefore we are interested in reopening so that tourists may come.”

BORDERS WITH CHILE

Chile last weekend reported its first case of the Omicron variant, after confirming the infection of a Chilean who entered the country from Ghana, West Africa, on November 25, the same day the World Health Organization (WHO) detected the first case in the world.

The reopening will be reassessed in two weeks, pending the national and international epidemiological evolution of the Omicron variant, explained Undersecretary of Health Care Networks Alberto Dougnac, based on a Ministry of Health announcement

Chile also announced that “from Wednesday, December 1, entry will be banned to non-resident foreigners who have spent the last 14 days in any of the following African countries : South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique.”

All Chileans and resident foreigners; all non-resident foreigners vaccinated with immunizers approved by the Ministry of Health; all non-resident foreigners who meet any exceptional requirement imposed by the government; and all children under 6 years of age, irrespective of their nationality, may enter Chile through authorized airports, the Ministry of Health reported.