Argentina
This information was published on 15th March 2021
Current situation
Our thanks to our member Argentina Travel Partners DMC for providing the Covid-19 update:
Argentina has recorded 2,077,228 Coronavirus cases and 51,359 Coronavirus deaths since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There are still an average of 5000 – 7000 daily cases reported (over the past weeks).
However, during our summer months the government announced more relaxed quarantine and social distancing measures.
Cities and departments not experiencing community transmission and with satisfactory health care infrastructure maintain mandatory social distancing. Cities and departments with increased or uncontrolled community transmission may revert to mandatory quarantine (“aislamiento social”).
Even in those areas under mandatory social distancing (more relaxed controls), there are limits on travel (we are allowed to travel for tourism with a special online permit), gatherings, and other activities.
Public transport for instance, is still for key and essential workers.
A great step forward is that school children from five of Argentina’s 24 regional districts returned to classrooms last week for the first time in almost a year, as the country began a gradual restart of face-to-face classes.
Entry requirements / restrictions
As per the latest government announcements, foreigners are not allowed to enter Argentina unless they have direct relatives (spouse, parents, children) who are Argentine citizens or residents. If that is the case and foreign citizens meet certain conditions they will be allowed to enter for a temporary visit.
Entry under this program is restricted to the following ports of entry: Ministro Pistarini Ezeiza International Airport and San Fernando International Airport.
Besides providing all the legal documentation as evidence of the direct relationship with the Argentine citizen, foreign citizens are requested to:
- Submit an electronic sworn statement within the 48 hours before their arrival/departure
- Provide proof of a negative PCR test done at origin 72 hours in advance to travel.
- Have a medical insurance with Covid-19 coverage.
- Those staying in the city of Buenos Aires must take a PCR test upon arrival (charges apply). Applies to International and Domestic arrivals.
As from Dec 25 and until further notice all arriving travelers, including those who present a negative PCR test, will also be required to self-isolate for a period of 7 days.
Masks are mandatory nationwide in public spaces, including public transportation and passenger vehicles. Limits on travel, gatherings, and other activities apply. Each province has varying health, testing, and documentation requirements for entry, transit, and departure.
Domestic flights and long haul buses are operating for nationals. Limited international flights are also operating except those from Italy, Denmark, Holland, Australia and UK that are restricted due to the new COVID strain.
The activity in the city of Buenos Aires is quite “normal”: shops, restaurants, etc are open applying protocols (mask, temperature control, distancing, limited number of people). Many activities and excursions are operating also with protocols.
There is no estimated end date for the travel (tourism) ban. There is a strong lobby to open it up for those who have already had their vaccine, but this could take effect later in the year, maybe in June.
Covid-19 vaccine update
The Government of Argentina has approved the Russian Sputnik V, the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, and the Sinopharm vaccines for use against COVID-19.
The University of Oxford / AstraZeneca active ingredient of the vaccine is being produced in Argentina by bio-pharmacy firm mAbxience at its laboratory in Buenos Aires Province. It is then shipped to Mexico where the vaccine will be produced by the Liomont laboratory. Argentina has sent Mexico the first active ingredient necessary for the development of around one million doses of the coronavirus vaccine produced by pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca in conjunction with Oxford University. This vaccine will be then distributed throughout Latin America’s countries (with the exception of Brazil).
A shipment of 580,000 Covid-19 vaccines from India’s Serum Institute arrived to bolster the government’s immunization campaign. (Covishield – Oxford / Astra Zeneca vaccine)
The vaccination campaign for COVID-19 was designed by the authorities to occur in phases, with priority given to: healthcare workers, those over 60 years of age or who have underlying conditions that increase the risk of a negative outcome, and those working in the security and education sectors. The Government of Argentina began vaccinating health care personnel in December 2020.
The mass vaccination campaign against Covid-19 has now entered a new phase, with elderly citizens now being eligible for shots against the novel coronavirus.
Provinces across the country, as well as Buenos Aires, began making appointments for citizens aged over 70 or 80 years old this week, with each region able to decide independently what age bracket qualifies immediately, based on their allocated number of doses and population breakdown.
In certain regions, teachers and those with high-risk factors will also be considered for vaccination.
A Sinopharm Vaccine shipment has arrived a couple of weeks ago with 1,000,000 doses.
According to authorities, the government has contracts allowing for the provision of some 62 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines produced by different laboratories.
With the information we have, we believe by November 2021 the vaccine will be distributed throughout the country.
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