Modifications to the COVID-19 prevention protocols

Depending on the epidemiological situation of the country and the progress of the National Vaccination Plan against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Ministry of Health recommends updating some care measures and establishes the health requirements for graduate trips.

Based on vaccination coverage against COVID-19 –with 58,9% of the population with a complete scheme and 91,5% of those over 18 years of age with a started scheme–, from the stability of the cases In a low number and the decrease in hospitalizations and deaths for more than 23 consecutive weeks, the Ministry of Health of the Nation recommends updating the sanitary protocols and adapting them to this new epidemiological situation.
An update of the requirements for carrying out student trips is also included, associated with the advance in the vaccination of children and adolescents.

The recommendation to modify and update health protocols includes economic, banking, industrial, commercial, service, tourist, religious, cultural, sports, recreational and social activities.

The only recommendations that must be maintained are to use face masks in closed and open shared spaces (only their use is not mandatory when circulating outdoors more than two meters away from other people), maintain a minimum distance of two meters between people, ensure adequate and continuous cross ventilation in the rooms, as well as continue with frequent hand washing. The recommendations are updated at the following link (https://www.argentina.gob.ar/salud/coronavirus/medidas-prevencion/generales/conducta)

In any case, the institutions and other bodies may establish the measures they deem pertinent and necessary for the development of each particular activity and will have the possibility of implementing additional sanitary measures depending on the activity.

Consequently, it will no longer be necessary to maintain body temperature control, hand spraying with alcohol at building entrances, scheduled shifts, sanitization and other additional measures, unless they are understood to be essential for the development of the activity.

Sanitary requirements for reopening student trips

The trips may be made only in provinces and municipalities that have authorized them within their jurisdiction, and must have the express authorization of the tourism authority of the province of destination and corresponding permanence.

All passengers must have a COVID-19 diagnostic test carried out within 48 hours prior to starting the trip, the result of which will be reported to the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS) and displayed by passengers in its Mi Argentina application. Those who test positive will not be able to board the transport and must comply with isolation at home (the company must guarantee their notification in the SNVS).

Students over 18 years of age, companions and coordinators must present a vaccination certificate with a complete schedule. In the case of companions and coordinators, as well as those under 18 with a risk condition, they must present a complete vaccination certificate at least 14 days before the start of the trip.

The change of entry and exit of passengers must be done by full bubble. If any of the travelers begins with compatible symptoms, a diagnostic test will be carried out and isolation of the case and close contacts will be indicated. The isolation will be fulfilled in the locality, reason why the receiving jurisdictions of student tourism will have to foresee the isolation sites of the cases and contacts in specific sites different from those available for tourism.

For the return, all travelers must perform an antigen test, prior to boarding the corresponding transport. If any of them were positive, it should be coordinated with the locality for the isolation of cases and close contacts.

Those students under 18 years of age who do not have a complete vaccination scheme or have not elapsed fourteen days prior to the start of the trip, must perform a seven-day isolation and, on their own, a new test that must be reported to the National System of Surveillance by the laboratory. The control of the testing will be in charge of the travel company.