Although the Government ruled out the closing of borders, it will reduce flights from these nations and urge its citizens to stay in the territory | Photo: EFE

Buenos Aires, March 13 (RHC)-- Starting on Saturday, flights from Brazil, the United States, Europe and other countries to Argentina will be reduced in order to prevent a second wave of contagion due to the London and Manos strains in Brazil.

The administration of Alberto Fernandez took a series of measures, including discouraging tourism abroad, as well as reducing international flights, especially regional ones.  It was clarified that the borders will not be closed for the entry of foreigners residing in Argentina.

The day before, several officials, including the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Matías Lammens, and the National Director of Migration, Florencia Carignanio, discussed the measures to be imposed.

"There will be a reduction of flights that already existed to several places that the Ministry of Health is concerned about. Above all, Brazil,' Carignanio told local media.  Flights will be reduced by 20 percent from Brazil, Mexico and Europe; 10 percent from the United States and 30 percent from Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Panama. In addition, Argentines will be discouraged from traveling to countries with high infection and mortality rates, as is the case of several of these countries.

In countries where the London strain is circulating, it will be requested not to travel, except for reasons of force majeure. Also, air traffic will be further reduced with the cessation of flights.  Last February, arrivals from Brazil were reduced by 50 percent and those from the United States and Europe by 30 percent.

Official government spokespersons informed local media that there will be intensive controls on people arriving from abroad, first, with PCR tests and second, with the monitoring of passenger isolation, which will be extended to 14 days from the current 7 days.

On the other hand, the provinces will have to intensify controls for Argentines returning from abroad. The national and provincial governments will work together with the migratory information of the countries to control that the Argentineans, in addition to the negative result of the PCR, must undergo a quarantine at home.

Likewise, access to foreigners not residing in the country will be prohibited and flights to the United Kingdom and Ireland will continue to be suspended.