Argentina demands increase in vaccinated population to reopen borders with Paraguay

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Paraguayan government officials have repeatedly urged their Argentine counterparts to reopen their borders, mainly due to the economic impact of closures on the population living in border areas.

Migration Director Ángeles Arriola said that she recently met with authorities of the Argentine Border Health Directorate, where Paraguay’s intention to reopen the borders in the cities of Encarnación – Posadas, through the San Roque González de Santa Cruz bridge, was once again expressed.

During the meeting, the situation of the Department of Itapúa was presented, where there is a decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases and respite in the health system, with beds available.

“They told us that the department is in a favorable situation, but what matters most is vaccination and the number of people vaccinated with the second dose. They demand that the immunized population be higher,” the Secretary of State said.

The director clarified that, for the moment, Argentine authorities maintain the plan to allow the re-entry of their nationals and foreigners residing in Argentina only by air, as land crossings are blocked.

Arriola said that in September a new meeting between Foreign Minister Euclides Acevedo and his Argentine counterpart Felipe Solá is planned, in order to present a new proposal that meets some of the requirements imposed by the Argentine government.

“The provincial government must also comply with certain requirements imposed by the Argentine government, such as the performance of an antigen test and quarantine, because quarantine will not be suspended in Argentina and will remain in force until the end of the year when double vaccination is completed,” she added.

The Migration director also pointed out that she does not believe that the reopening will be beneficial should citizens wish to go shopping and return to the country, as they will be required to comply with quarantine upon their return, in addition to the mandatory negative antigen test.