KPB Immigration Law Firm: COVID-19 UPDATE. Part 2. Travel to/from Mexico and Latin America.

COVID-19 UPDATE. Part 2. Travel to/from Mexico and Latin America.

The Trump Administration imposed the following restrictions on travel to and from Mexico and Latin America:

On March 20, DHS announced that the United States and Mexico are restricting non-essential travel across the southwest border. The restrictions started yesterday, March 21.
These restrictions cover the entire US-Mexico land border.
They will stay in place for a period of 30 days subject to extension upon review
These limits do not cover plane travel, although there have been fewer flights between Mexico and the US and longer delays

The CDC has issued a specific warning against traveling to Brazil, which is considered the Latin American country with the widest spread of the virus

Actions by other Latin American countries:

Several Latin American countries including Guatemala, El Salvador and Peru have closed their borders including to US citizens in response to the epidemic.

· This has included travel out of such countries often leaving US citizens stranded indefinitely in these countries.

Below are the limitations on travel country-by-country and CDC recommendations with respect to travel to each:

Argentina

· Argentina on March 15 announced it was closing its borders to all incoming foreigners for at least two weeks. The ban does not apply to legal permanent residents.

· The decision to ban most foreigners came days after Argentina announced it would halt all flights from the United States and Europe starting on March 16.

· CDC recommends that older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel there (Category 2) but it is not subject to a Category 3 warning against travel there.

Bolivia

· On March 12, President Jeanine Áñez announced the cessation of all flights to and from Europe, as well as rigorous control measures at the country’s borders. Any person entering will be subject to medical screening outlined by the World Health Organization, Ms. Áñez said.

Brazil

· As of March 14, Brazil had not imposed travel restrictions. Its health ministry recommended that all passengers who arrive on international flights remain at home for at least seven days and seek medical help if they develop coronavirus symptoms.

· The CDC has issued a Category 3 warning for Brazil. That means that the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Brazil. It is considered the only Latin American country with widespread transmission of the virus.

Chile

· The government announced on March 16 that it would close its borders to all foreigners starting on March 18 for an undetermined period. Chileans returning home from areas with a significant number of cases of the coronavirus must quarantine for 14 days.

Colombia

· The government announced on March 13 that it would shut down the seven border crossings along its border with Venezuela. Starting March 16, Colombia will bar entry to any foreigner who has been to Europe or Asia within the past 14 days. Colombians who return from affected areas will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Costa Rica

· The government announced on March 16 that it would close its borders to all coming foreigners effective March 18. Costa Rican citizens and permanent residents who arrive in the country will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Dominican Republic

· Flights from Milan into the Dominican Republic have been canceled, according to the U.S. Embassy, and all travelers arriving in the country must complete a travel history form. Passengers from China or Italy, including those without any sign of Covid-19 symptoms, may have to quarantine at home. Incoming cruise ships also may be barred from docking.

· CDC recommends that older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical

conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel there (Category 2) but it is not subject to a Category 3 warning against travel there.

Ecuador

· Beginning March 16 at 11:59 p.m., no one, including citizens and residents, will be allowed to enter the country for the next 21 days.

El Salvador

· On March 11, El Salvador announced it would bar entry to all foreigners, except accredited diplomats and legal permanent residents.

Guatemala

· Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei announced on March 16 that the country was closing its borders for 15 days.

Peru

· The government on March 15 declared a state of emergency and shut down its borders for at least 15 days, starting on March 16. The measure means all international flights will be canceled. Officials are also restricting the movement of people across provinces.

Uruguay

· On March 15, Uruguay announced it would halt all flights from Europe starting March 20. It had announced earlier that all passengers arriving from China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran, Spain, Italy, France and Germany must go into mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

Venezuela

· On March 12, Venezuela announced it would suspend all flights from Colombia and European countries for at least a month.

[Information taken from The Center for Disease Control: (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html ) and the New York Times: (https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-travel-restrictions.html)

JOINT STATEMENT OF U.S. AND MEXICAN GOVERNMENTS

· The joint statement of the U.S. and Mexican governments on the pandemic reads as follows:

The strong partnership and close cooperation between the United States and Mexico has allowed us to maintain a productive border environment. We value the health and safety of our citizens and keep that at the forefront of joint decisions made by our respective leaders regarding cross-border operations.

· Recognizing the robust trade relationship between the United States and Mexico, we agree our two countries, in response to the ongoing global and regional health situation, require particular measures both to protect bilateral trade and our countries’ economies and ensure the health of our nations’ citizens. We agree to the need for a dedicated joint effort to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus and address the economic effects resulting from reduced mobility along our shared border.

· The U.S. and Mexican governments further recognize critical services such as food, fuel, healthcare and life-saving medicines must reach people on both sides of the border every day. Essential travel must therefore continue unimpeded during this time. In order to ensure that essential travel can continue, the United States and Mexico are also temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across its borders.

· “Non-essential” travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature. Additionally, we are encouraging people to exercise caution by avoiding unnecessary contact with others. This collaborative and reciprocal initiative is an extension of our nations’ prudent approach that values the health and safety of our citizens in the joint decisions made by our respective leaders regarding cross-border operations.

· This joint initiative will commence at 00:01 Saturday March 21 throughout the USMexico land border for a period of 30 days subject to extension upon review.

You can read the entire joint statement of the U.S. and Mexican governments at: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHS/bulletins/2824934

KPB Immigration Law Firm

Sunday, March 22, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE. Part 2. Travel to/from Mexico and Latin America.

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