Argentina relaxes measures against the pandemic and will open its borders to foreigners

First modification: 09/22/2021 – 01:07

The authorities announced the easing of restrictions in the country starting this Tuesday. They plan to expand capacity, open borders and request the use of masks in certain situations. This is the result of an effective vaccination campaign, taking into account that 44.5% of its population has already been completely inoculated.

The Argentine government has communicated that as of this September 21, the measures established by the Covid-19 pandemic will be relaxed.

Among the main changes are the gradual opening of the borders, the increase in capacity at public and private events and the end of the use of outdoor masks, as long as there are no crowds.

This decision was made by President Alberto Fernández and the head of the cabinet of ministers, Juan Manzur. However, the Ministries of Health, Tourism and Sports, Interior, Security and Foreign also participated in its formation; the 24 jurisdictions of the country and experts on the subject.

Manzur assured in a press conference, in which the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti, was also present that “if this continues in this direction, it means that we are perhaps experiencing the last stage of this pandemic.”

The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, delivers a speech before swearing in the new ministers at the government house today in Buenos Aires (Argentina). The president of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, relaunched his Government on Monday with a ministerial renewal with which he seeks to overcome the internal crisis unleashed after the defeat of the ruling party in the recent primaries and reverse that electoral setback in the face of the legislative elections next November. © EFE / Juan Mabromata

The opening of borders will be progressive

As of this September 24, Argentines, residents and foreigners, who want to enter the country for work reasons will no longer have to undergo a quarantine.

From October 1, foreigners from neighboring countries will be allowed to enter without having to isolate themselves. In addition, land borders will be opened. The idea is that from that date until November 1, entry into the country will progressively increase.

November 1 is the scheduled date to allow the entry of all foreigners, who will have the option of showing a complete vaccination schedule of at least 14 days before arrival, a negative PCR test of maximum three days prior to boarding, or taking an antigen test upon entering Argentine territory.

Those who do not present a vaccination scheme will have to comply with quarantine and undergo another PCR test between day 5 and day 7 from their admission. However, the authorities indicate that when 50% of the population has been fully inoculated, these measures will be relaxed.

Social life will also return to Argentina little by little

The use of the mask outdoors will no longer be mandatory, as long as there are no crowds. However, it will continue to be essential in closed spaces such as public transport, cinema, schools, among others.

Social gatherings will no longer have capacity limits, but those present will be asked to comply with distancing or use of a mask in case of crowds. To activities of all kinds; economic, industrial, commercial, religious, cultural or sports that are carried out in closed places, people may enter up to 100% of the capacity of the venues.

However, only 50% of the capacity will be allowed in the clubs and it will be mandatory to have received a complete vaccination schedule 14 days before attending. The same will happen with events of more than 1,000 people.

Argentine Health Minister Carla Vizzotti in a file photo. © EFE / Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

Argentina has immunized almost half of its population

According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, 5.4 million people have been infected and 115,000 have died from Covid-19 in Argentina.

According to the organization Our World in Data, in this territory 49 million doses have been administered against Covid-19 and 20 million people have already been fully inoculated. This represents 44.5% of a population of almost 45 million inhabitants.

The Minister of Health indicated that “from the health point of view, we are in a really very positive moment.” And he detailed that “Argentina registers 16 consecutive weeks of decrease in daily cases, as well as 14 consecutive weeks of falls in mortality and in the number of hospitalizations in intensive care due to Covid-19.”

When asked about the Delta variant, she said that in her country there are “cases of community circulation but without predominant circulation.”

Finally, Manzur announced that “to the extent that the results sought by the Government are materialized, the level of flexibility will continue to increase” in Argentina. The chief of the cabinet of ministers foresees that within 15 to 20 days “the optimum level of coverage” will be reached.

With EFE

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source https://pledgetimes.com/argentina-relaxes-measures-against-the-pandemic-and-will-open-its-borders-to-foreigners/