COVID Restrictions and Borders Status in Central & South America

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This thread is to post the latest news regarding COVD restrictions in Central and South America.

Post details of border restrictions for travellers entering Countries in South & Central America, details of any repatriation flights etc
If you have any information in relation to travel restrictions or other important information please post it in this thread together with a link to the source. Thank you

*Information will change quickly, Although we try our best to update the latest information, it may not always be correct most up-to-date, therefore you should ensure if you plan to travel to any of the countries below you verify the information provided and current restrictions

We will update the below as more new is provided.

Links and resources
A good link to check for updates globally IATA - International Travel Document News

SOUTH AMERICA

Argentina
-Argentina’s borders are closed to foreign nationals and non-residents entering the country until midnight on 24 May. The borders remain open for departures. The UK operated two special flights from Argentina to help British travellers most at risk from the effects of COVID-19 to return to the UK. The flights departed on 7 and 12 May. There are currently no further UK special flights from Argentina. . Local Lockdown current to: 24 May 2020 (people are obtaining help from their embassies to move within Argentina to get repatriction flights & and on the way drop their vehicle off at the port)

Argentina Commercial flights
Ethiopian Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Addis Ababa on 21 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Ethiopian Airlines website.

Qatar Airways are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Doha on 21 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting Qatar Airways website.

Latam Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Santiago on 22 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible via Miami with an overnight stay in Santiago. British nationals will need an ESTA to transit via the United States. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Latam Airlines website.

Eastern Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Miami on 29 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. British nationals will need an ESTA to transit via the United States. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Eastern website.

This travel advice will be updated when departure options become available. Any exceptional flights in the future are likely to depart from Buenos Aires. Sign up for email alerts and follow the British Embassy on Facebook and other social media accounts.



Bolivia- All international flights to and from Bolivia are suspended and all land border crossings closed - Local Lockdown current may be relaxed regionally from 11 May 2020, border will be closed to 30/05 (Source) - Risk levels for different towns and cities in Bolivia can be found on this Bolivian Government website

Brazil - Flights appear to be continuing, With international travellers able to transit through the airport, however foreign nationals are not allowed to enter Brazil

Chile - Borders closed, some regular flight are now operating with LATAM to USA and Iberia to Madrid - Lockdown current may be relaxed with release certificates” for recovered COVID-19
**Unconfirmed** "Tourist visa extension in Chile
Source: my phone call to Italian embassy
In about a week or two on extranjera webpage it should show the option of a free automatic tourist visa extension due to covid.
I'll keep an eye on this issue. "

Colombia - Flights to are suspended currently until 31/05. Local Lockdown current to: 25 May 2020 - Colombia’s land and sea borders are now closed. Airports are closed to international traffic until 31 May provisionally, and foreign nationals will not be permitted to enter during this period, which may be extended.

Ecuador - Flights ae suspended. President Moreno announced a 30-day extension to the state of emergency, which will now last until 16 June.
General nationwide restrictions remain throughout May 2020

Uruguay - Flights to are suspended.
  • only Uruguayan nationals and legal residents are allowed to enter Uruguay
  • partial border closure and mandatory 14-day quarantine for passengers arriving from abroad
  • suspension of direct flights to and from Europe and the US (from 20 and 18 March respectively)
  • closure of the border with Argentina (including ferry services)

CENTRAL AMERICA & Mexico

Belize
- Airports in Belize are closed.
With effect from 23 March, the Government of Belize closed all borders including suspending all international flights to the Philip Goldson International Airport (Belize City).

United Airlines flight
On Friday 22 May, United Airlines will operate a special flight UA 2421 from Philip Goldson International Airport (Belize City) at 12:00. Flights are subject to change.

To make a reservation you should do so directly with United Airlines. For more information or to change a prior United reservation, send an email to unitedbelizesales@united.com or WhatsApp message to +501 614-2613.



Mexico - Mexico has now entered into Phase 3 of the coronavirus lockdown, the highest level mandated by the government as the spread of the virus intensifies, with nonessential businesses shuttered and social distancing measures and movement restrictions in place until May 30.Regional restrictions are in place, and health checks at international and regional borders (source)

Guatemala - Flights to Guatemala are suspended. Repatriation flights to the USA: Travel alert for U.S. Citizens in Guatemala: United Airlines offering flights on May 3rd, 5th and 8th | U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

Panama - Borders are closed to all but citizens and residents with a mandatory two week self-isolation on arrival. There will be no international flights to or from Panama until 22 June 2020 at the earliest. Domestic flights are also suspended.


If you have news, updates on borders, details of repatriation flights, please post a comment and we will updates this list.
 
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Colombia from FCO - Coronavirus - Colombia travel advice
Entry and borders
Colombia’s land and sea borders are now closed, including the border with Ecuador. With effect from 23 March, airports are closed to international traffic until 31 May provisionally.

These regulations are subject to change at short notice and you should check with your travel provider before your journey.

All arrivals, including residents and Colombian nationals, who intend to enter the country should complete the Preventive Control Against Coronavirus form.

Cruise ships are not being allowed to dock at Colombian ports.

Ecuador has closed its border to arrivals from Colombia though is currently allowing people to leave. You should monitor local authority statements on social media @MigracionCol. The Colombian border with Venezuela is now closed.

Visas
Given the current situation, the Colombian government issued a decree stating that visas that expire during the emergency will be automatically renewed, with immediate effect for the length of the lockdown period plus one month. This means that those with tourist visas that expired during the period of 23 March to 11 May, you will need to renew your visa, request an extension, or depart from Colombia before 11 June. There will be no penalty for not renewing your visa if it expired during these dates. For more information, please visit the Migración Colombia website.

Local measures
President Duque announced a State of Emergency on 18 March, announcing new measures including nationwide mandatory self-isolation for anyone over the age of 70, from 20 March to 30 May. Restrictions on movement for under 18s are in place until 31 May.

Nationwide isolation measures for all are in effect from until 11:59pm on 10 May. These measures restrict social contact and movement to essential activities only. During this period, one individual per household may leave his or her home or accommodation to:

  • Go to the grocery store to buy food
  • Go to the pharmacy to pick up medicine
  • Walk a pet for 20 minutes in the vicinity of one’s residence
  • Access emergency services, including veterinarians
  • Attend a necessary medical appointment
  • Visit an ATM or bank to access financial services or get a notary
  • Take a licensed taxi or public bus when necessary to leave the house for one of these approved reasons.
From 27 April, individual sports activity can be authorised by local administrations under certain conditions for a restricted amount of time each day. Regulations vary between regions, but social distancing rules continue to apply. Please check with your local authority for more information on the specific restrictions in your area.

The use of masks is mandatory when using public transport and in areas with a high concentration of people. Those with respiratory symptoms and at risk groups (including those with pre-existing health conditions and adults over the age of 70) must always use masks in public. Cloth masks are acceptable.

If flights out of Colombia are organised during the quarantine period, travel to the airport for this purpose can be authorised by the Colombian authorities in conjunction with the Embassy.

Regional authorities are implementing significant further measures, including restrictions based on gender and/or identification numbers, and curfews. Please check official guidance from the relevant local authority, local news and the British Embassy Twitter page (updates in English).
 
Argentina Return to the UK
There are currently extremely limited commercial options available to return to the UK from Argentina, and there are no direct flights from Argentina to the UK. Argentina’s borders remain closed to foreign nationals and non-residents until midnight on 10 May. The borders remain open to those departing, but there are only a limited number of exceptional international flights.
We know this is concerning for British people trying to leave Argentina. The UK government is working closely with airlines, the Argentine authorities and other governments to make sure options are available for you to return to the UK as soon as possible.
Registering with the British Embassy
If you’re visiting Argentina from the UK and want to return to the UK but have not yet registered with us, email returnfrom.argentina@fco.gov.uk providing your:
  • full name
  • passport number
  • date of birth
  • current location in Argentina
  • details of how to contact you.
Remember to send a further email should your situation change.
UK special flights
The UK will operate two special flights from Argentina to help British travellers most at risk from the effects of COVID-19 to return to the UK.
  • the first flight will depart from Buenos Aires to London on 7 May. Those eligible for this flight include British nationals in a more vulnerable position. This means British nationals most at risk from the effects of the virus and those in more remote areas of Argentina. These people will be contacted directly by the British Embassy
  • the second flight is expected to depart Buenos Aires on 12 May. Eligible passengers will be contacted directly by the British Embassy with details on how to book
  • the cost of the flight is £800 per person
To be eligible to take these flights, you must have registered your details with the British Embassy and be normally resident in the UK. Eligibility, including your address in the UK, will be checked before tickets are issued. Tickets will not be on sale at the airport. Do not travel to the airport without a confirmed ticket.
Please continue to check this page and sign up to alerts from the British Embassy social media accounts for any updates.
You will need to pay for your return travel to the UK. If departure options are available but you cannot afford the travel costs and have exhausted all other options for getting funds, you may be eligible to apply for an emergency loan from the government. This is a last resort option and you would need to repay the loan when you are back in the UK. For more information, you should contact Corporate Travel Management (CTM) via SMS on +44 7537 416 124 to receive a call back. CTM are a commercial partner of the FCO and are authorised to administer such loans on behalf of the FCO.
Commercial flights
This travel advice will be updated when departure options become available. Any exceptional flights in the future are likely to depart from Buenos Aires. Sign up for email alerts and follow the British Embassy on Facebook and other social media accounts.
Travelling to the airport
You can travel from your accommodation to the airport if you have a valid plane ticket and are not showing any symptoms of coronavirus.
Regular domestic flights within Argentina are suspended until 1 September and all scheduled long distance trains and buses, are suspended until midnight on 10 May. There may be other options for travelling overland, such as taking a taxi or hiring a car, but you are only permitted to travel to Buenos Aires if you have a valid ticket for an international flight which departs within 24 hours of your arrival. Please also note that vehicles are unable to stop overnight so there must be a minimum of two drivers for long journeys.
If you need to spend a night in Buenos Aires, you will need to find accommodation to meet the requirements of the nationwide quarantine, which prohibits you from leaving your accommodation without justification. See Coronavirus
If you are planning to travel overland to Buenos Aires, you will need:
  • a copy of the letter issued by the Ministry of Health confirming that foreign nationals travelling to return to their country of origin are exempt from the nationwide quarantine rules
  • a letter issued from the British Embassy confirming that you should be allowed to travel.
  • proof that you have a confirmed international flight departing within 24 hours of your arrival in Buenos Aires.
  • possible additional permissions depending on your route and means of travel. Please check this with the British Embassy, as far in advance of your departure as possible, by emailing returnfrom.argentina@fco.gov.uk with details of your planned journey.
If you are being driven, your drivers must also have the relevant permits allowing them to make the journey.
Your journey home
The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) provides advice on how to stay safe as you travel by air.
When you arrive back in the UK, follow the guidance for when you return to the UK on steps you should take to protect yourself and others.
 
Post in our FB Group: Chile:


**Unconfirmed at present**
Tourist visa extension in Chile
Source: my phone call to Italian embassy
In about a week or two on extranjera webpage it should show the option of a free automatic tourist visa extension due to covid.
I'll keep an eye on this issue.
 
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Travel alert for U.S. Citizens in Guatemala: United Airlines offering flights on May 3rd, 5th and 8th

Source: Travel alert for U.S. Citizens in Guatemala: United Airlines offering flights on May 3rd, 5th and 8th | U.S. Embassy in Guatemala

Location: Guatemala

Event: The United States Embassy in Guatemala City advises U.S. citizens that United Airlines has opened multiple flights from Guatemala City to the United States throughout the month of May, including the following flights through Friday, May 8:

Sunday, May 3 – 12:00 departure (Flight 3011) from Guatemala City to Houston, TX.

Tuesday, May 5 –12:00 departure (Flight 3016) from Guatemala City to Houston, TX.

Friday, May 8 –12:00 departure (Flight 3017) from Guatemala City to Houston, TX.

United Airlines may update this schedule or add additional flights at any time. We urge U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents wishing to travel to the United States to monitor United Airlines’ website at https://www.united.com to learn of future flights to the United States as they are scheduled. Reservations for commercial flights should be made directly with the airlines, not the U.S. Embassy, so please contact them directly for bookings. Please contact United Airlines directly at https://www.united.com or VentasGUA@united.com to make reservations.

The Embassy advises U.S. citizens that other commercial carriers may also begin scheduling flights from Guatemala to the United States in the coming weeks. We urge interested travelers to monitor commercial carriers’ websites to learn about travel options as they are made available.

At present, all travel between or into the departments of Sacatepéquez, Chimaltenango, Guatemala and El Progreso is prohibited. If these restrictions continue, United Airlines will send manifested passengers U.S. Embassy-issued letters requesting permission to cross inter-departmental boundaries into the Department of Guatemala for the purpose of travel to Aurora International airport to fly back to the United States. Guatemala’s National Civil Police (Polícia Nacional Civil, PNC) is honoring these letters. Travelers should contact United Airlines for further details.

The United States Embassy in Guatemala urges U.S. citizens to comply with all laws, regulations and health guidelines put in place by the Guatemalan government, including the mandatory curfew, mandatory use of masks in public, and other restrictions on travel and other activities currently in effect. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines of up to 150,000 Quetzales or up to six years in prison.

The restrictions on inter-departmental travel do not impede individuals currently in the Department of Guatemala, including those in Guatemala City, from traveling to the airport to board the upcoming United Airlines flights.

Please contact AmcitsGuatemala@state.gov for any urgent inquiries.

 Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Tel. (502) 2326-4000
Amcitsguatemala@state.gov

State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory Page

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
 
Update on Argentina Flights

Argentina Commercial flights
Ethiopian Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Addis Ababa on 21 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Ethiopian Airlines website.

Qatar Airways are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Doha on 21 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting Qatar Airways website.

Latam Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Santiago on 22 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible via Miami with an overnight stay in Santiago. British nationals will need an ESTA to transit via the United States. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Latam Airlines website.

Eastern Airlines are offering a special flight from Buenos Aires to Miami on 29 May. Onward travel to the UK is possible. British nationals will need an ESTA to transit via the United States. To book, please contact the airline directly by visiting the Eastern website.

This travel advice will be updated when departure options become available. Any exceptional flights in the future are likely to depart from Buenos Aires. Sign up for email alerts and follow the British Embassy on Facebook and other social media accounts.
 
How do we update first post? Colombia has changed to the following:

May 31: Re-opening businesses (some), able to move around town, no intercity travel
June 30: Intercity travel open
August 30: International flights scheduled to restart...humanitarian flights may still be available...