Holidays during a pandemic: which countries Argentinians can enter and what requirements must they meet

International flights suffered an almost total halt in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the beginning of September this year, some countries began to ease their entry requirements, although restrictions continue in most countries.

Thanks to vaccines and the decrease in cases and internations they generate, some countries may have decided to partially open their borders, seeking to reactivate tourism. The so-called “chimney-less industry” has been one of the sectors that has suffered the most from the crisis. According to data from the World Tourism Organization (WHO), in 2020, international travel fell 74% compared to 2019, this means 1 billion fewer tourists and a loss of $ 1.3 billion of tourism exports.

Given the dynamics of the global health emergency, those wishing to travel should inform themselves of the requirements imposed by the different countries. In this regard, the Argentine government has prepared a document containing information on the countries most frequented by Argentines, mainly European and American destinations, from the most restrictive to the most flexible. Here is an overview by continent and country:

United States

It allows the entry of Argentines who present a negative Covid-19 certificate made a maximum of 72 hours before departure from the first boarding point. This requirement is requested for those over 2 years old. In addition, an affidavit must be completed.

The United States has an 85% rate of all cases of coronavirus belonging to the Delta variant. In recent days, it has seen an increase in daily cases which have averaged 110,000. The largest increase in cases has been recorded in the state of Florida, home to the city of Miami, one of the more chosen by locals.

Canada

Canadian borders are completely closed to Argentinian travelers, although they plan to reopen them as of September 7 for all travelers from any country who show a full vaccination schedule against Covid-19.

Brazil

It is another of the countries chosen by local tourists, especially in summer. It allows the entry of Argentine citizens provided that they present to the airline responsible for the flight an RT-PCR test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with a negative result carried out 72 hours before the flight. This requirement is mandatory for all persons over 12 years old. The “Traveler’s Health Declaration” must also be completed.

Argentine passengers arriving in the country may need to be quarantined depending on the Brazilian state they are visiting.

Uruguay

To date, only Uruguayan nationals and resident foreigners have an entry permit. This media announced that from November, it will allow the entry of Argentine visitors who have the complete vaccination schedule and who present a PCR test with a negative result, without the need to carry out a quarantine at the ‘arrival.

It will also allow access to non-resident foreigners who own properties in Uruguay, have a full vaccination program and have a negative PCR. The country recognizes the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.

Chile

Argentines wishing to enter the Trans-Andean country must complete an affidavit 48 hours before boarding, present a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before arrival (not applicable to children under 2 years old) and complete a symptom report form within 14 days of admission. In addition, they must have contracted international medical coverage in the event of contracting Covid-19 for a minimum of USD 30,000.

They also require compliance with a 10-day quarantine in a hotel authorized by the Chilean authorities in charge of the passenger. From September, compulsory isolation is reduced to 7 days. Health authorities can subject travelers to diagnostic tests for COVID-19 at points of entry into the country or within 14 days of arrival.

Colombia

The “coffee-producing” country allows the entry of Argentines, you just have to fill out a pre-registration form which must be done 24 hours before arrival and a negative PCR test is done 72 hours before.

Ecuador

It allows the entry of Argentinian visitors who present before boarding the vaccination record with the completed scheme 14 days before or a negative RT-PCR test 72 hours before the first point of embarkation.

Bolivia

It requires foreigners who wish to enter a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before boarding, in the event of access by air, or entry, in the event of entry by land, river or lake. In addition, visitors must comply with a 10-day isolation and must undergo a second PCR test on the seventh day after entering. The cost of the same will be borne by the traveler. The address must be completed through an affidavit and non-residents must have health insurance with coverage for covid-19.

Paraguay

Argentines who are not vaccinated with the full regimen can enter the country presenting a negative PCR 72 hours before entry or an antigen test that does not exceed 24 hours before, and must comply with a mandatory isolation of 5 days from the day on which the test presented during admission was carried out, and a second test must be carried out on the fifth day after arrival in Paraguayan territory.

Those who are vaccinated with the full vaccination schedule or who contracted the coronavirus 14 to 90 days before entering Paraguay, will be exempt from isolation.

In all cases, the “Travel Health Declaration Form” must be completed one day before arrival.

Peru

Argentines wishing to travel to Peru must present a negative PCR test carried out 72 hours before entry, complete an affidavit and comply with a mandatory quarantine of 14 days from arrival. The same will apply in temporary isolation centers or in accommodation authorized by the Peruvian authorities.

Mexico

It has open borders for travelers in general, including those coming from Argentina. The only requirement of Mexican immigration authorities is to complete a questionnaire to identify risk factors among travelers, which will be done upon arrival in the country.

Germany

Since June 25, Germany has allowed the entry of Argentines, for whatever reason, fully vaccinated with one of the inoculants recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). In other words: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen.

In addition, it will be necessary to have a digital COVID certificate from the EU (European Union).

Spain

Spain no longer requires compliance with a mandatory quarantine for travelers from six countries in Africa and Latin America, including Argentina. Thus, residents who wish to travel to Spain can do so without the obligation to carry out compulsory isolation for 10 days upon arrival.

In any case, the country requires travelers to have the full vaccination schedule of any of the coronavirus medicines approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and those on the emergency list of the World Health Organization (WHO). As indicated in the ministerial decree published in the Official Journal of the Spanish State (BOE) of June 9, 2021, the approved vaccines are: Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Sinopharm and Sinovac-Cronavac.

France

To access it, Argentines must justify the reason for entry, present a negative PCR carried out 48 hours before the flight and must be isolated 7 days after their arrival. In the event of non-vaccination, isolation must be 10 days and the traveler can be checked by the French security forces.

Like Germany, it only recognizes vaccines approved by the EMA (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen).

Britain

The UK completely prohibits access to travelers from Argentina and 56 other countries.

Italy

Argentina is currently included in Italy’s “E list”. This implies that Argentinian travelers can only enter the country for specific reasons: work, health reasons, study reasons, absolute urgency or to return to their home, domicile or residence.

Australia

At this time, only Australian citizens, residents and their immediate family members can enter. The Australian government plans to reopen its borders once it has fully immunized 80% of its population.

New Zealand

The country’s borders are completely closed and entry is strictly controlled. Like its neighbor Australia, only nationals, residents and direct family members can enter.

Israel

The country would allow the entry of Argentines as long as the government approves it. If approval is obtained, a 14-day quarantine must be observed, a test must be carried out at the arrival airport by the passenger and a certificate must be submitted 24 hours before boarding. Additionally, travelers undertaking an itinerary longer than 72 hours must have a negative PCR test performed 72 hours prior to the first point of embarkation.

Japan

The island country does not allow entry of people from Argentina and 158 other countries.

Although full regularization of international travel does not appear to be near, there are good signs of a gradual reactivation. Countries are advancing their vaccination campaigns at uneven rates, but gradually vaccination rates are increasing and rates of coronavirus infections are declining. The world is still going through a very convulsed stage with constant changes in regulations and arrangements, so the advice for those who aspire to travel is to check with consular authorities the necessary entry conditions for the chosen destination.