Covid-19: When will border situation between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina normalize?

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – It took a while, but protests have started: hoteliers from Porto Alegre and other cities on Argentine’s routes to Brazil’s southern beaches are complaining about the Brazilian government’s delay in clearing access to their neighbors.

Argentina’s borders reopened on November 1 for Brazilians, but so far the Brazilian government has not granted reciprocity, i.e., access for Argentines to all of Brazil’s territory. Only local transit is allowed, which is limited to twinned border cities, such as Foz and Puerto Iguazú.

For now, there is only a pledge from Minister of Tourism Gilson Machado Neto that a new decree will be drafted this week to allow the entry of Argentines, as the ban on foreigners entering Brazil by land remains in force, except for those entering through Paraguay.

To circumvent the Brazilian ban, Argentines in a rush to enjoy the summer are forced to enter through Encarnación, Paraguay, and travel from there to Ciudad del Este, entering through Foz do Iguaçu, and from here travel to their favorite destinations.

Paraná has been doing well for the time being, since access through Rio Grande do Sul is only allowed to the twin cities along the border.

Hoteliers from Rio Grande do Sul have realized that they are losing out and are mobilizing to try to expedite the publication of the Brazilian ordinance. But so far there is nothing official from the Ministry of Tourism, where the news is focused on Brazil’s participation in Expo Dubai.

NEWS ON THE PARAGUAYAN BORDER

Among the news on the Brazilian, Paraguayan and Argentine borders, came the increase in the entry quota through the Argentine safe corridors. Since Monday, November 15, 5,000 people per day may enter Argentina (1,600 before), thus ending the problem of Argentines who were stranded in Encarnación waiting for a new day and the start of the new quota.

The new quota pleased Paraguayans, but they want Argentina to authorize new safe corridors, so that life on the borders can return to normal more rapidly.

In Foz do Iguaçu, the previous quota did not pose a problem, because the flow of Argentines coming to the city is still low. And the number of residents who cross to Puerto Iguazú is nowhere near the previous limit of 1,600 per day.

Paraguayans from Encarnación are excited about the new quota, because it can attract more Argentines to the city’s shops, restaurants and attractions.

However, the exchange asymmetry is mainly favorable for Paraguayan consumers, as Argentina is “cheap” for them.

While Paraguayans go to Posadas to fill their tanks and buy products such as food, cleaning products, clothes and shoes, Argentines still find an advantage in Encarnación’s shops when buying electronic products, sneakers and end-of-stock products.

Another novelty in the Argentine-Paraguayan border: as of Wednesday, November 17, Argentina will authorize the crossing of buses over the San Roque González/Santa Cruz bridge, connecting Encarnación and Posadas, which should also contribute to the increase in traffic.

Paraguayan long-distance transport entrepreneurs are still waiting for Argentina to allow international trips by land, as they have made preparations by improving their fleet and rehiring drivers. But there is no deadline yet.