Given the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in our country, the Argentine National Government decided to extend the prohibition of tourist entry, the suspension of international flights, and the enforcement of special requirements in those cases that are expressly authorized for entry into the Argentine Republic, from May 22 to June 11, 2021, inclusive.
Among the implemented measures and established requirements are the following:
International flights: Authorizations and permits previously granted for air passenger transportation operations on direct flights originating from or destined for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and originating from Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and India remain suspended due to the new lineage in the sequencing of local samples regarding the entry of individuals.
Entry into the country: Native citizens and/or foreign nationals authorized to enter the Argentine Republic by the National Directorate of Migration must comply with the following requirements:
- Complete the online affidavit of entry to the country of the National Directorate of Migration 48 hours prior to boarding;
- Attach a negative PCR (sample taken 72 hours before boarding);
- Have travel medical assistance insurance that includes hospitalization and isolation coverage for COVID-19 during the stay in the Argentine Republic;
- Take a test for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival in the country, the cost of which must be borne by the individual entering the country;
- Take a new test for SARS-CoV-2 on the seventh day of arrival in the country, the cost of which must also be borne by the individual entering the country, as a condition for the completion of the mandatory isolation.
Positive PCR result upon entry to the country: Those individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 upon entry to the country must then take a PCR test for genomic sequencing, as indicated by the national reference laboratory. Furthermore, those who test positive and their close contacts must comply with mandatory isolation in places designated by the relevant national authorities until safe transfer to their place of residence is carried out, if applicable. The stay in these isolation places will be at the expense of the individual entering the country and must be carried out in the manner established by the competent authorities.
Negative PCR result upon entry to the country: Those individuals who test negative for the PCR test upon entry to the country must comply with mandatory isolation at the respective addresses reported for this purpose in their entry affidavit for a period of 7 days from the time the sample was taken upon entry to the country.
Positive PCR result on the seventh day of entry to the country: Those individuals who test positive for the PCR test on the seventh day after entering the country, the intervening laboratory must take steps to ensure that the competent national authority genomically sequences the sample and the local health authority immediately traces the close contacts of the individual who traveled, based on the mechanisms provided for tracking their entry and transfer to the mandatory isolation place.
The cost of genomic sequencing tests must be borne by the individual entering the country and must be carried out in the manner established by the competent authorities.