Argentina suspends direct flights from Brazil, Chile and Mexico, and establishes new sanitary requirements upon entry

Administrative Decision No. 268/2021 was published today, by means of which the Chief of Cabinet Ministers established new sanitary measures governing the international air transportation of passengers and updated the requirements that apply upon entry to Argentina.

First, it suspended direct commercial flights from Brazil, Chile and Mexico until April 9, 2021, in addition to the restriction already in force regarding flights from the United Kingdom.

Despite that, flights scheduled to enter Argentina 48 hours after the entry into force of the regulation are exempted from the restriction. Also exempted are flights bringing back nationals and foreign residents who had left the country prior to the enactment of the measure and whose return date from any of the suspended destinations was later than 48 hours after its entry into force.

In order to implement the flight restriction, the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) has been entrusted with suspending all corresponding authorizations and permits. In addition, for the gradual entry of the persons affected by the restriction, the ANAC, together with the Argentine Administrative Office of Migration (DNM), may establish new exceptions and determine the parameters that apply to the operations of international passenger transportation services according to the operational capacity of the authorized international crossings.

On the other hand, the ANAC together with the Ministry of Health and the DNM must maintain an availability of 2,000 seats per day for incoming and outgoing international commercial flights, establishing a decreasing and gradual flow on that basis. The same criterion must be applied to international maritime and fluvial passenger transportation until reaching an operation level of one vessel per week.

Finally, the measure expanded the requirements that apply to persons authorized to enter the country as established by Administrative Decision No. 2252/2020. According to the new additional measures, those entering the country will have to take a SARS-CoV-2 test upon arrival and another one on the seventh day after entry as a condition for the completion of their mandatory isolation.

If they test positive, they must then perform the PCR test for genomic sequencing and complete their isolation period in those places determined by the national authorities, together with those with whom they have had close contact.

On the other hand, those who test negative will be able to perform their mandatory 7-day isolation wherever they are reportedly staying. If they test positive, they will have to undergo a PCR test for genomic sequencing. All costs of testing and housing will be borne by the person entering the country.

The Administrative Decision is effective as from March 27, 2021.