Covid-19: Paraguay to reopen its borders with Argentina

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – “The Argentine delegation reported that the proposal to reopen this safe corridor meets all requirements and that it has decided to conduct the necessary administrative procedures for its prompt implementation and respond in the coming days to Paraguay’s requirements,” said the Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Paraguayan Information Agency (IP), the border crossing points to be reopened link the cities of Puerto Falcón-Clorinda, Alberdi-Formosa and Nanawa-Clorinda.

The coordination of the Border Neighborhood Traffic (TVF) system for residents of border cities was also continued, which requires the consolidation of a list of registered residents of both localities, a task to be completed as soon as possible for its implementation.

Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it will do everything in its power to ensure the reopening of border crossings with Argentina “gradually and progressively, and in the shortest possible time.”

The Paraguayan delegation was coordinated by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and included representatives of the National Directorate of Transport (DINATRAN), the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare (MSPBS), the National Directorate of Migration (DNM) and its embassy in Argentina.

The Argentine delegation was headed by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship, the National Directorate of Migration, the National Directorate of Border Control, Authorization and Health, the Directorate of Motor Transport, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Formosa and its embassy in Asunción.

According to data from the 2010 Argentine census (the latest), the Paraguayan community represents almost 1/3 of the total number of foreigners in the country, with 550,173 residents, making it the largest and most economically active of all immigrant communities, as well as the largest colony of Paraguayans abroad.

In historical terms, Paraguay is also one of the largest immigration sources to Argentina, second only to Spaniards and Italians.