In the first stage of gradual border reopening, the Argentine National Government allows the entry of tourists from neighboring countries from October 1 to October 31, 2021, following the pilot test implemented last week.
In order to restore tourism activity and considering the vaccination campaign and the decrease in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Argentine National Government, through Administrative Decision No. 951, established a schedule for the gradual reopening of Argentine borders.
Who can enter the Argentine Republic from October 1 to October 31, 2021?
- Argentine citizens;
- Foreign citizens residing in the Argentine Republic;
- Foreign citizens who are nationals and/or residents of neighboring countries who have remained in the neighboring country for the 14 days prior to entry into the Argentine Republic, even when entering for tourism reasons; and
- Foreign citizens who are not residents of the Argentine Republic or neighboring countries, whose entry into our country has been exceptionally authorized by the National Directorate of Migration for work, commercial, study, sports practice, or family reunification reasons.
Foreign citizens who are not residents of the Argentine Republic, nationals, or residents of any other country will be authorized to enter the Argentine Republic starting on November 1, 2021.
What are the quotas for air and maritime river entries to the Argentine Republic?
ANAC will provide a weekly quota of passenger seats for entry into the national territory, as detailed below:
- From October 1 to October 3, 2021, inclusive, 2,300 daily passenger seats;
- From October 4 to October 10, 2021, inclusive, 21,000 weekly passenger seats; and
- From October 11, 2021, until 14 days after reaching the threshold of 50% of the population with full vaccination, 28,000 weekly passenger seats.
Once 14 days have passed since the date when the Argentine Republic reaches a 50% vaccination coverage, no entry quotas will be applied to the country.
ANAC may expand, reduce, or eliminate the above-mentioned quotas with prior intervention from the national health authority, as long as it does not affect the basic response capacity of the respective safe corridor or the measures established by local authorities for isolation control and positive case monitoring, and the testing and processing capacity by laboratories is guaranteed. To this end, and until 14 days have passed since the date when the Argentine Republic reaches a 50% vaccination coverage, ANAC will provide at least 90 minutes of separation between flights for passenger transport operations with wide-body aircraft, and 60 minutes of separation for passenger transport operations with narrow-body aircraft for health review purposes. Additionally, it will notify the National Directorate of Migration and the Ministry of Health of approved flights at least 48 hours in advance, as well as any scheduled changes, so that the corresponding authorities can fulfill their functions.
Regarding international maritime and river passenger transport, a quota of up to 5 weekly ships with a 50% capacity each has been established, which may correspond to different operators.
What are the authorized border crossings for entering the Argentine Republic?
The authorized border crossings for entering the Argentine Republic are as follows:
- Ezeiza International Airport;
- San Fernando International Airport;
- Jorge Newbery Metropolitan Airport;
- Buquebus Port Terminal;
- Colonia Express Port Terminal;
- Iguazu – Foz de Iguazu Border Center in the province of Misiones;
- Iguazu Falls International Airport in the province of Misiones;
- Cristo Redentor System Border Center, Horcones Pass, in the province of Mendoza;
- Governor Francisco Gabrielli International Airport “El Plumerillo”, in the province of Mendoza;
- Malvinas Argentinas International Airport in Ushuaia (from October 20, 2021);
- Ushuaia Port (from October 20, 2021);
- Each of the border crossings subsequently authorized as safe corridors after the approval of the corresponding protocol by the respective provincial health authority and authorized by the Argentine National Government.
What are the requirements to enter the Argentine Republic until October 31, 2021?
- Have completed the full vaccination scheme at least 14 days before entering the Argentine Republic. Citizens will specify this in the sworn declaration required by the National Directorate of Migration;
- Have travel medical assistance insurance that includes hospitalization and isolation services for COVID-19 during their stay in the Argentine Republic;
- Provide a negative PCR test in the country of origin conducted within 72 hours prior to entry;
- Antigen test upon entry to the Argentine Republic;
- Undergo a PCR test between the fifth and seventh day after entry into the Argentine Republic if they continue to stay in the country.
The cost of testing must be borne by the entering citizen.
Once 14 days have passed since the date when the Argentine Republic reaches a 50% vaccination coverage, those who enter the country with a complete vaccination scheme will be exempt from the antigen test mentioned above.
Mandatory isolation (quarantine) after entering the Argentine Republic – When must it be complied with?
Citizens who are fully vaccinated and tested negative are exempt from quarantine, but must undergo a PCR test between the fifth and seventh day after arrival in the country.
Those who test positive must undergo mandatory isolation in provincial facilities for 10 days, or the longer period defined by the province in its protocol.
Minors who have not completed the vaccination scheme but are accompanied by adults who meet this condition and enter Argentina may enter, but must undergo quarantine and take a PCR test on the seventh day of arrival in the Argentine Republic.
Non-resident foreign citizens who have not completed the vaccination scheme may still enter the Argentine Republic as long as their entry is not for tourism reasons, with prior authorization from the National Directorate of Migration, as established by current regulations, and must undergo quarantine and take a PCR test on the seventh day after arrival in the country.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
If the authorities detect a breach of the established measures, they may immediately cease the infringing conduct and file the corresponding criminal complaints, in accordance with articles 205, 239, and related articles of the Argentine Penal Code, which sanction, respectively, with imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years, for violation of measures adopted to prevent the introduction or spread of an epidemic, and with imprisonment from 15 days to 1 year, for resistance or disobedience to orders from public officials.