Live
Audio Only
This health policy seeks to prevent a greater number of people infected with the new COVID-19 strains from entering the country.
Argentina's Cabinet Chief Santiago Cafiero on Thursday announced the suspension of flights from Brazil, Mexico, and Chile starting on Saturday.
RELATED:
The decision seeks to avoid a COVID-19 surge by containing the circulation of new strains, one of which is the P.1 variant originated in Manaus, Brazil.
Argentines returning from abroad will get tested for COVID-19 on three occasions. People who test positive will have to undergo a genomic sequencing test to identify the virus's variant.
Even if the traveler has a negative result, it is mandatory a 10-days quarantine at home. Penalties will be imposed in case of disobedience to the order.
Due to scarcity of vaccines and distribution challenges, the vaccination of leading political figures is essential. Pres. Alberto Fernández of ���� received the Sputnik V vaccine and Pres. Sebastián Piñera of ���� received China’s Sinovac vaccine.
— Argentina Project (@ArgentinaProj) March 24, 2021
More in our #WeeklyAsado newsletter
In December, Argentina forbade touristic travels and allowed only exceptional entries and departures based on work permits and other duly justified reasons.
Cafiero explained that bordering Brazil and Chile have an "alarming community transmission" of the P.1 strain. He added that many infected people have returned from Mexico.
"Argentina has a high number of COVID-19 cases; however, the region experiences a sustained communitarian circulation of new strains which are more contagious and lethal", Cafiero said.
Newsletter
