Uruguayan Travel Agencies Propose “Early Quarantine” to Host European Tourists

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Association of Travel Agencies of Uruguay (AUDAVI) will propose to the Ministry of Tourism that tourists from the European Union (EU) coming to the country could undergo an “early quarantine monitored by a laboratory”.

This was explained to Efe on Saturday by the AUDAVI chairman, Carlos Pera, who said that the plan is for tourists to undergo at least two swabs that test negative for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. One of these would be performed seven to eight days before leaving for Uruguay, while the other would be taken immediately before the trip or upon arrival.

According to Pera, a physician, with the current regulations those entering Uruguay are required to undergo a seven-day quarantine, something that “hinders the sale of tourist products”.

In this regard, he pointed out that tourists would be forced to pay for seven nights’ accommodation during which they would be required to remain indoors, something that could alternatively be withdrawn or reduced to 48 hours.

This would make “the product much more appealing,” said Pera, who said that “health safety is above everything else.”

On August 18th, Uruguay’s Minister of Tourism, Germán Cardoso, announced that the country would open its borders to tourism from the EU, although he did not specify the date.

“It is clear that European tourism is not the mass tourism that comes to our country, but we believe that it is a way to take another step in this progressive journey towards a new normalcy”, explained the Minister that day.

The decision was announced after a meeting between Cardoso and Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou, and the measure is a gesture of reciprocity with the nations that make up the bloc, since Uruguay is the only Latin American country whose citizens have been allowed to enter Europe since June.

On this point, Pera said that we must “applaud Cardoso’s courage and bravery.”

According to data, between July 1st and August 9th, 2,880 people landed in Uruguay through the Carrasco International Airport, the country’s main terminal, all of whom were swabbed and the test results showed 2,876 negative and four positive cases.

Based on these figures, the Vice-Minister of Tourism, Remo Monzeglio, told the local press that reopening this activity would not pose any major risks.

“There are virtually total guarantees for European tourism (…) Of the over 2,000 people who came in through Carrasco Airport, only four later developed the disease. It doesn’t seem at all risky,” he said.

Currently, Uruguay has its borders open to Uruguayans living abroad, foreigners with residence or who prove they have an business interest in the country.

Source: infobae