What do the protocols establish for Argentines returning to the country?

The warning lights have come on more and more frequently in recent days, after the arrival of flights from different destinations but with one common point: These are young people returning from graduate study trips abroad where many positive cases of coronavirus were detected in a significant number of contingents.. The most recent, 30 teenagers from a school in Pilar who returned infected from Mexico. On Saturday March 13, on a flight that also returned from the Aztec country, 44 students entered Argentina with COVID-19. In these cases, a difference was observed in the way of proceeding depending on whether they resided in the province of Buenos Aires or in the city of Buenos Aires, depending on the epidemiological tools used.

According to what was reported by the National Directorate of Migration, carry out strict surveillance of infected young people and their relatives so that they comply with the mandatory quarantine. At the same time, controls have been tightened at Ezeiza International Airport and airlines that carry contingents of graduates have been notified for a more exhaustive verification of the tests presented before embarking on the return to the country.

Now alrighthow the control system and protocols are in effect? As explained by the Ministry of Health of the Nation to Infobae, Every time an Argentinian leaves the country, he signs an exit affidavit in which he is responsible that he assumes a risky trip and takes care of unforeseen events that may appear in relation to his health.. On the way back, You must present a negative PCR 72 hours before the flight and a traveler’s health affidavit 48 hours in advance.

In the city of Buenos Aires, they ask residents arriving from abroad “complete a migration sworn statement, take a test at the origin 72 hours in advance. They must perform a mandatory seven-day isolation (national government requirements). In addition, if your destination is the city of Buenos Aires, you must complete the affidavit online and take the test upon arrival in Ezeiza. The Buenos Aires authorities also specify that in this case, a prior delay is not necessary.

The government of Buenos Aires continues with the testing of tourists and residents who return to the city after their rest. So far they have reported testing 799,465 people. Since Monday, March 15, a new test station has been opened at Jorge Newbery airport, for all those entering through this airport, in connection with the return of domestic and regional flights. The airport is operational again after seven months of closure for expansion and renovation works. If a positive case is detected, in CABA, passengers are referred to hotels designed for this purpose.

City of Buenos Aires, has determined the protocol for the management of confirmed and suspected cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) with the objective to ensure the early detection and diagnosis of a possible case of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) to allow its adequate management, as well as investigation, prevention and control measures.

The the definition of the cases, the contacts and the measures to follow detailed in this protocol are based on the Recommendations for the attention of the health team of the Ministry of Health of the Nation To date, they are under constant review on the basis of developments and new information available on the current epidemic.

Regarding the protocol for the management of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 for isolation in extra-hospital institutions, affirms that suspected cases of COVID-19 considered mild will be treated in extra-hospital institutions (like hotels) and not in a home, because it will be at the stage of containment of the disease. The objective is to optimize the use of hospital beds and to maintain respect for extreme isolation. These cases will be identified by an emergency center or fever units / clinics, they specify.

People who have symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should immediately report it by phone to the health system. Example: 107 in CABA, 148 in the province of Buenos Aires, 120 in the whole country.

In the case of the province of Buenos Aires, the negative COVID-19 certificate is not required to enter jurisdiction, neither COVID-19 travel insurance nor health coverage.

In dialogue with Infobae, the Minister of Health Carla VizzottiHe said of the risks posed by the entry into the country of travelers from abroad: “People should know that going to a place with a new variant is an individual and health risk for the country“. Vizzotti said there is a need to “step up” the testing of those who enter the country and undergo quarantine. “There is the decentralization of the management of the provinces“, he underlined.

“The controls at the entrance are reinforced, with the provincial police and national security. That is to say. It must be completed, ”said the manager. According to Vizzotti, people traveling must sign an affidavit before boarding a plane with an address where post-travel isolation will take place.

Before getting on the plane, you need to do the previous PCR test. Work is underway “to oil this gear which is very complex”said Vizzotti. “Ideally, fewer people should come in, but it happened to us during the 2009 pandemic when flights to Mexico were closed. However, people entered through Brazil“.

The Minister commented: “It is understood that we are tired and need rest, but there is something beyond us because it is happening in the world. For that, look for places where there is less risk and which must be taken into account, because the situation transcends us ”. Consulted by this media, she also noted that “When you travel abroad and sign the affidavit, you assume you are going to a risky location“.

The Decree of Necessity and Emergency (DNU) of March 12 says that “the suspension of international passenger flights from the affected areas for a period of 30 days“.

The presentation of a negative PCR test result, carried out within 72 hours of travel to the place of origin, without exception, is a mandatory health requirement. It must be integrated into the DDJJ established as an immigration requirement 48 hours before boarding. According to the Ministry of Health, in less than 72 hours it is mandatory for citizens traveling to Argentina, from a long list of countries.

Between slow vaccination and the latent threat of coronavirus variants, the government of Analyzes by Alberto Fernández restrict travel abroad to a minimum and even close borders.

“There is no measure or area responsible to say: the virus will not enter. Then the situation should be discouraged“Admitted the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti, in dialogue with journalists. “We must bring to the table the situation that exists at the global and regional levels and the question of variants. Taking a break is important for emotional health, but the truth is, there is something beyond us in the world.“.

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