What New COVID-19 Restrictions Are Now In Place In Argentina?

• Published date: 04 January 2021
• Subject Matter: Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Coronavirus (COVID-19), Operational Impacts and Strategy
• Law Firm: lus Laboris
• Author: German Capoulat (Funes de Rioja & Asociados)

Argentina has introduced tighter restrictions on travellers entering the country, limiting entry to a very narrow list of individuals and imposing strict testing and quarantine restrictions on most of these travellers.

An Administrative Decision (2252/2020 issued by the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, the 'Decision') has amended the rules on travel and quarantine in Argentina.

From 00:00 on 25 December 2020 until 00:00 on 9 January 2021 the following changes apply:

The pilot test for tourism from neighbouring countries (introduced by Administrative Decision No. 1949/20) has been suspended.

Authorisations that had been granted for direct flights on air routes from the UK and Northern Ireland, Australia, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands, and those destined for those countries are suspended for passengers. The Decision also provides that the national health authority may expand the above list of countries.

Authorisations that had been granted for entry and exit through authorised border crossings are suspended, except for the entry of Argentine residents and citizens and special authorisations granted by the Immigration Office for working reasons (paragraph 2, article 1 of Decree 274/20 and its amendments). The border crossings of San Sebasti'n and Integración Austral, both located in the Province of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands, are exempt from this suspension.

From 00:00 on 25 December 2020 until 00:00 on 9 January 2021, the following categories of people are authorised to enter Argentina:

• carriers or crew members of any nationality;
• nationals and residents of the Argentine Republic;
• foreign nationals expressly authorised by the National Directorate of Migrations to carry out a work or commercial activity; to fulfil an official diplomatic mission; to participate in sporting events, or for family reunification with Argentines or residents;
• foreign nationals declared to be in transit to other countries who will remain at the international airport for less than 24 hours;

Conditions for entry to Argentina have been updated in Annex I to the Decision as set out below.

Electronic Affidavit for entering Argentina

All travellers must submit an Electronic Affidavit. It is available on the official site of the National Directorate of Migrations (www.migraciones.gob.ar) and must be completed 48 hours before boarding.

PCR tests

All travellers must take a diagnostic test 72 hours prior to international travel and receive a negative...