HRS COVID-19 Weekly report
Argentina
Argentine frontiers have been closed for 15 days. Only native Argentinians or foreign nationals with a valid residency in Argentina will be able to enter the country. The borders closure is not restrictive to those wishing to leave the country, but only for those coming in. All Argentinians stranded in high risk countries will be brought back to Argentina. Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary schools are closed, as well as universities until March 31st. Public schools will be open to take care of other collateral obligations, such as giving support to students as needed, but they will not have lessons for 15 days. All national parks will be closed. Suspension of theatres, cinemas and all kinds of musical shows and sporting events that gather a significant number of people. Soccer League may be played behind closed doors, with no spectators. All those that are over 60 years old, pregnant or that have health risk condition will be given a labor license. This will be both in the public and private sectors. They will also have specific time frames to go to banks and medical centers so as to avoid crowds of people. All those that are able to do so, must work remotely and stay at home. The Government is also evaluating the possibility of reducing traffic in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires.
Aruba
The Prime Minister has announced that as of Sunday (March 15th, 2020), travelers from Europe will not be allowed to enter Aruba until at least March 31st, with the exception of Aruban nationals. They keep monitoring the situation so other travel ban might be applied soon. As for now Aruba had confirmed two cases of COVID-19.
Barbados
Has confirmed two cases of COVID-19. Special travel conditions for flights and passengers coming from China, Italy, Iran and South Korea have been implemented. Any passenger from this locations will be put in quarantine during 14 days at least. The rest of the travelers are being screened and will be handle depending on particular health conditions detected. No other measures have been taking so far.
Brazil
Has more than 300 cases, most of it in the city of São Paulo. Brazilian Consulates all over the world received the orientation to close and consulates from other countries in Brazil are closing. The borders of Brazil are open until now. Our largest cities are declaring a state of emergency with cancelation of events in order to avoid agglomeration of people. A considerable amount of companies are adopting home office and the Brazilian govern recommends to stay home whenever it is possible. Public and private schools or universities are closing. The Federal Police from Rio de Janeiro informed that only emergency cases will be attended, and that will certainly affect all the processes. We are waiting for an official pronouncement regarding the Federal Police all over Brazil and other public agencies.
Chile
Remote working until March 30, for those companies that can do it. From Wednesday March 18th, 2020 border will be closed for all foreigners trying to enter Chile, except Chileans and foreigners with Permanent Residency in force. RUT card has been extended for 1 year, for Chileans and foreigners with a valid Permanent Residence Permit. Immigration processes continue been provided in the same way. PDI office is closed, so the process of visa registration and certificates is suspended until they inform. Civil register is working until de government offices have other instruction. All kindergartens, Schools, universities and institutes are closed until March 30th but studying programs through internet will continue going on. All public acts, events, and meetings has been prohibited. Parks, cinemas and beaches are closed. All commercial stores are still open. Banks are working and have asked the population to prefer internet and ATMs.
Colombia
There are 57 cases of COVID-19 confirmed, all Colombian borders will be closed from today (March 17th) until May 30th. Flight ban had not been established yet, but any international traveler most go directly to a 14-day self-quarantine (mandatory) and they will be supervised by the legal authorities during this period. Further measures are under study this week.
Ecuador
Is under state of emergency as of March 17th, 2020. All borders are closed. All incoming flights are cancelled, both national and international, until April 5th. Mandatory Quarantine (only Health professionals and institutions, banks and food providers are open) has been declared. Car circulation is restricted by plate number and only to provide medicine, food or any health emergencies. “Toque de Queda” or Curfew from 21h00 until 5h00 as of March 17th. Schools are closed until further notice.
El Salvador The National Curfew was declared for Honduras for Seven days, with the “closing of streets” of the main cities, with more emphasis on Choluteca, La Ceiba and Distrito Central, in the south, Caribbean Zone and Center of the country, starting at 22:00 H. Pacheco indicated that the National Police will be monitoring the situation closely and verifying justifications for people out on the streets. Supermarkets, Pharmacies, Supermarkets, Gas Stations and the Banks will remain open so nationals may purchase their basic needs.
Guatemala
Has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. Entry and Exit Requirements : On January 31, 2020, Guatemala declared a National Sanitary Alert, which restricts entry by air, land and sea to any foreign person without legal residency in Guatemala who has visited the People’s Republic of China in the last 15 days prior to arrival in Guatemala
Guyana
Two cases of COVID-19 confirmed, no travel ban is taking place yet until now nor other condition.
Honduras
Has two confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. Enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are being carried out at ports of entry (POEs) – airports, sea and land – including the Roatan port, a popular cruise ship destination in Honduras for American and Canadian nationals.
Mexico
The Mexican government is not reacting the same as the rest of the world. Unfortunately, the seriousness of the virus has not been grasped by President Lopez Obrador, with his advisors giving confusing comments on national television. Due to this position, it is unlikely that the figures reported are real at this time.
Schools and non-essential business have been ordered to close beginning March 23rd, which is 1 week away. Immigration continues to function, although with a system whereby only 10 people are allowed in the building in a queue at a time, causing long queues outside.
The US Embassy today announced that all consulates in Mexico will close as of March 18th, but this is as far as restrictions if we compare them with the rest of the region. Borders remain open.
Panama
69 infected – 1 dead (35 women and 34 men) 57% between the ages of 20-39. Most of the infected are in the capital. Closure of borders. Cancellation of flights from Europe and Asia. Restriction of foreigners. Suspension of classes at all levels. Cancellation of social, sporting, cultural and religious events. Sanitary checkpoints between cities to prevent people from going to the out of the city and to the beaches. Quarantine, Isolation for 14 days people coming from abroad, closure of bars, pubs, casinos, etc. to avoid crowding. The only places that should be opened are the pharmacies and supermarkets. The restaurants are opened only to buy food and take away or delivery . Authorized the office work at home. All people must stay at home. Price and quantity control for cleaning and personal hygiene products. There is a call center to answer questions - 169
Paraguay
Most of the Government offices are closed to the public. This means that the applications entered will still be processed, but might take longer than expected. No new applications can be submitted, so no immigration task can be formally initiated. 15-day quarantine applicable to everyone. No one should leave home, unless work or health requires so. Everybody is encouraged to do home-office. Most of the commercial activities are closed or not open to public, working remotely or goods delivered to you. Gatherings are forbidden. Pharmacies, supermarkets and health places are still open, but recommended to be visited by one single person, with safety measures.
Borders are closed to foreigners, except to permanent residents with their Paraguayan carnet, diplomatic officers and members of international entities. This means that no one without a valid residency card can get in, not even if he/she started the process/entered the application if he/she did not get the carnet yet. Starting 8 pm and until 4 am, it is forbidden to go out of your home at all. Anyone caught would be arrested or subject to a penalty fee.
Peru
Peruvian Board of Ministers has approved the State of Emergency applicable since the time of the publication in the State Bulletin, just before midnight 15/3/2020. Initially valid for 15 days, with possibility to be extended. State of emergency includes: restricted mobility to all citizens, everybody must stay at home, except in cases of force majeure. At any case the movement of citizens will be always unaccompanied. Closure of all establishments carrying out public activity except for the distribution of food and basic needs. All educational activity in person is suspended. Terms are suspended and time limits for processing procedures of public sector entities are interrupted.
Trinidad
Four cases of COVID-19 confirmed. The Prime Minister just confirmed that only Trinidadian Citizens will be allowed to enter for the next two weeks, starting on March 17th, 2010. Ports are closed also for the same period. Schools will also remain closed until April 20th.
Suriname
Just one case confirmed of COVID-19. Airports and Borders are closed since March 14th until further notice. No other measure has been taken so far.
Venezuela
17 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Schools and Universities are closed for 14 days starting on March 16th, 2020 with the possibility of being extended. Mandatory quarantine is taking place from March 17th countrywide. All flights from Europe, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Panama are banned for 30 days. Suspension of theatres, cinemas and all kinds of musical shows and sport events that gather a significant number of people. Some governmental offices are open to the public, which seems to have no sense because quarantine is mandatory for all citizens.
Immigration procedures will be suspended while the quarantine is in place.