Argentina – Mandatory COVID-19 Quarantine Extended for Buenos Aires
Argentina–Buenos Aires Mandatory Quarantine Extended
This GMS Flash Alert explains that the Argentine authorities have extended the mandatory “lock down” for the Buenos Aires metropolitan region until 24 May, while leaving the relaxing of lockdowns of other provinces up to each governor in conjunction with the Argentine government.
On 8 May, the Argentine authorities announced an extension of the mandatory “lock down” for the Buenos Aires metropolitan region as of 11 May, until 24 May.1 As for the rest of the country, the relaxing of lock downs of each province will be an internal decision taken by each governor in conjunction with the Argentine government. For prior coverage of the country-wide lock down, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-201 (27 April 2020).
WHY THIS MATTERS
This new measure extending the quarantine will bring partial relief for Argentina’s economy and society, but prohibiting group gatherings, closing borders, advising people keep 1.5 meters apart, and confining people to their homes have been shown to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
The extended quarantine will continue to cause stress and inconvenience for individuals and businesses, especially those in the Buenos Aires region remaining under the strictest lock down.
For organisations with globally-mobile employees, their options remain limited for a return to normal cross-border working arrangements. Indeed, until such time as the government decides it is safe to rescind or in a bigger way roll-back current restrictions, extensive remote working is a “best practice” for globally-mobile employees – apart from “essential workers” – to the extent possible, and is a way for employers to foster the safety of their employees and help ensure business continuity.
More Details
The area most affected by the extended quarantine period includes the urban agglomeration comprising the autonomous city of Buenos Aires and the adjacent 24 districts in the province of Buenos Aires.
The continuation of the strict lock down in the Buenos Aires metropolitan region aims to protect the Argentine area in which there is still a likely risk of infection due to population density. The effect of social distancing and isolation measures have worked so far but it may not be time to start relaxing the measures in place to control and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
KPMG NOTE
Clients should be aware of this extension as Argentina continues to isolate itself from the world in order to prioritize the population’s health and safety.
Any individuals impacted by the quarantine extension may wish to consult with their global mobility advisers and immigration legal counsel as soon as possible for advice on next steps.
FOOTNOTE
1 For news of the Decree of Necessity and Urgency (Aislamiento Social, Preventivo y Obligatorio, Decreto 459/2020), see the website (in Spanish) of the Boletín Oficial at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/228958/20200511.
For the original announcement of the self-isolation/quarantine policy, on the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud) webpage (in Spanish) see: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/coronavirus/aislamiento.
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* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services or legal services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Argentina.
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