Last December 30, the Argentine government published in the Official Gazette the Administrative Decision 1316/2021, through which it maintains the sanitary restrictions on entry into the country but reintroduces a requirement that was in effect in the past, which is a PCR test between the third and fifth day of arrival in the country.
This measure arises in the context of an increase in the number of cases of COVID, although it has not been reflected in a similar increase in the number of hospitalizations in intensive care or deaths.
The omicron outbreak has affected many countries in the northern hemisphere since mid-December, resulting in canceled flights and reduced schedules for the first few months of 2022. According to Flightware, more than 8,000 flights have been canceled in the U.S. and Europe in the past two weeks, primarily due to an increase in personnel who are sick with the virus. In conjunction with the prospect of dealing with the problem, many pilots and cabin crew are even giving up overtime incentives to keep flights running.
In Argentina, although cases have increased, flights will continue as normal while restrictions cannot be ruled out. This is the case of Ethiopian Airlines, which was scheduled to return on December 12, but was rejected by ANAC Argentina as it is an airline coming from Africa, the initial epicenter of the omicron variant, despite making a technical stopover in Sao Paulo (GRU), Brazil.
The company has expressed that they are trying to obtain special permits for the flights, but they have not obtained positive responses. In addition, they have been able to relocate passengers through other Star Alliance airlines (Air Canada, Turkish Airlines, and Swiss International).
For international flights available in Argentina click on the following link: International flights to Argentina JANUARY- MARCH 2022
Points of entry and exit from Argentina labeled as ” Safe Corridors”:
Land border crossings: click on the following link: “Land entry points to Argentina“:
Authorized ports: Port of Buenos Aires “Buquebus”, “Colonia Express”, “Quinquela Martín”, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia.
Authorized airports: Buenos Aires/Aeroparque (AEP), Buenos Aires/Ezeiza (EZE), Buenos Aires/San Fernando (FBO), Córdoba (COR), El Calafate (FTE), Mendoza (MDZ), Neuquén (NQN), Puerto Iguazú (IGR), Rosario (ROS), Salta (SLA), San Martin de los Andes (CPC), Tucumán (TUC) and Ushuaia (USH).
Argentine citizens and foreign residents in Argentina (with Permanent, Temporary, or Precarious DNI)
With a complete vaccination plan:
- Have completed vaccination plan at least FOURTEEN DAYS (14) prior to entry into the country.
- PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to the flight departure time with a negative result; antigens and other types of tests are NOT accepted.
- Health Affidavit (DDJJ), via the following link: Migraciones Argentina. In the DDJJ you must include the proof of the PCR test and the Vaccination Card.
- PCR test between the third and fifth day after entering the country, at the passenger’s expense. A test may be performed free of charge at La Rural-Palermo and Parque Chacabuco in Buenos Aires if you have social security and/or medical insurance. For appointments in the City of Buenos Aires, please click on the following link: Appointments
- Medical Insurance is NOT required.
- Otherwise, if you do not comply with the requirements, the airline may disallow your boarding.
Excepted to present PCR test:
- Children under 6 years of age.
- Travelers 6 years of age or older who have had a positive COVID-19, since they must present a positive test result and a medical discharge issued at least 10 days after the positive result, indicating how the patient has been ill and lack symptoms at the time of the certificate.
No full vaccination plan for Argentines and foreign residents in Argentina:
The measure contemplates those NOT vaccinated, those with only one dose (except for Janssen/Johnson and CanSino pharmaceuticals, which are considered as fully inoculated with only one dose), and those who have completed the complete vaccination plan at least fourteen (14) days before entering the country.
- PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to the flight departure time with a negative result; antigens and other types of tests are NOT accepted.
- Health Affidavit (DDJJ), via the following link: Migraciones Argentina. In the DDJJ you must include the proof of the PCR test and the Vaccination Card.
- ISOLATION for seven (7) days at home or place declared in the DDJJ, including minors NOT vaccinated, for all provinces, except for the Province of Buenos Aires:
- Those domiciled in the Province of Buenos Aires must be isolated in HOTELS for four (4) days and three (3) days at home. If traveling with minors, they may be isolated at home. The authorized hotels can be found at this link: COVID Hotels
- PCR test between the fifth and seventh day after check-in, at the passenger’s expense. You may take a test at La Rural-Palermo and Parque Chacabuco in Buenos Aires free of charge if you have social security and/or medical insurance. For appointments in the City of Buenos Aires, please click on the following link: Appointments
- .Medical Insurance is NOT required.
- Otherwise, if you do not comply with the requirements, the airline may disallow your boarding.
Excepted to present PCR test:
- Children under 6 years of age.
- Travelers 6 years of age or older who have had a positive COVID-19, since they must present a positive test result and a medical discharge issued at least 10 days after the positive result, indicating how the patient has been ill and lack symptoms at the time of the certificate.
Foreign citizens from neighboring countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay)
- Family reunification is suspended, since they may now freely enter the country.
- They must have completed the vaccination plan at least FOURTEEN DAYS (14) prior to entering the country. Any vaccination granted by each state will be accepted. They will NOT be allowed to enter if they do not have a complete inoculation plan.
- PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to the flight departure time with a negative result; antigens and other types of tests are NOT accepted.
- Health Affidavit (DDJJ), via the following link: Migraciones Argentina. In the DDJJ you must include the proof of the PCR test and the Vaccination Card.
- PCR test between the third and fifth day after entering the country, at the passenger’s expense. A test may be performed free of charge at La Rural-Palermo and Parque Chacabuco in Buenos Aires if you have social security and/or medical insurance. For appointments in the City of Buenos Aires, please click on the following link: Appointments.
- Non-resident foreigners who are NOT vaccinated may enter Argentina for economic, labor or medical purposes, duly justifiable.
- Medical insurance that covers COVID expenses.
- Otherwise, if the requirements are not met, the airline may deny boarding.
Foreign citizens from NON-Bordering Countries
- To have completed the vaccination plan at least FOURTEEN DAYS (14) prior to entering the country. Any vaccine granted according to each state will be accepted. They will NOT be allowed to enter if they do not have a complete inoculation plan.
- PCR test performed within 72 hours prior to the flight departure time; antigens and other types of tests are NOT accepted.
- Affidavit of Health (DDJJ), via the following link: Migraciones Argentina. In the DDJJ you must include the proof of the PCR test and the Vaccination Card.
- PCR test between the fifth and seventh day after entering the country, at the passenger’s expense. A test may be performed at La Rural-Palermo and Parque Chacabuco in Buenos Aires free of charge if you have social security and/or medical insurance. For appointments in the City of Buenos Aires, please click on the following link: Appointments.
- Non-resident foreigners who are NOT vaccinated may enter Argentina for economic, labor, or medical purposes, duly justifiable.
- Medical Insurance that covers COVID expenses.
- Otherwise, if the requirements are not met, the airline may deny boarding.
