Argentina – Administrative Decisions Responding to COVID-19 Spread

Considerations for Next Steps

Argentina’s government announced on 26 May coronavirus preventive measures that include returning to Phase 1, keeping borders closed and extending transitory and temporary residencies in Argentina automatically until 11 June.

The new provisions aim to protect the Argentine population and control and prevent the further spread of coronavirus/COVID-19. (For prior coverage of Phase 1, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-058 (13 March 2020).)

Decree N° 334/2021 suspends physical presence in economic, industrial, commercial, cultural, sports, religious, educational, tourist, recreational and social activities until 11 June.¹ This will have considerable impact on how Argentineans and foreign individuals live in Argentina.

Additionally, Argentina’s government under Administrative Decision N° 512/2021 announced the country’s borders will remain closed until 11 June,² and suspended flights coming and going to Great Britain, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and India due to the prevalence of new strains of the virus in those countries.

Finally, Disposition N° 1302/2021 automatically extends transitory and temporary residencies for 30 consecutive days from 23 May, until the situation in Argentina settles down.³  (For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2021-67 (26 February 2021.)

Measures prohibiting group gatherings, closing borders, advising people to keep 1.5 meters apart, and confining people to their homes, are still in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus due to the lack of vaccines. 

The closures and suspension of activities, travel disruptions, and reinforcement of mitigation measures will require employers to re-consider their personnel and work arrangements due to the new situation.

Given current circumstances, remote working may be a “best practice” for globally-mobile employees – apart from essential workers – to the extent possible and is a way for employers to foster the safety of their employees and help with business continuity.

With the extension of transitory and temporary residencies, foreign individuals should be able to better manage their personal situations concerning their right to stay in Argentina and the different procedures around proper documentation. 

Any individuals affected – or expecting to be affected – by the new rules may wish to consult with their travel agents, global mobility advisers and immigration legal counsel as soon as possible for advice on next steps.

The automatic extension of transitory and temporary residencies will provide relief for individuals whose residencies in Argentina will soon expire as they cannot go personally to the National Immigration office because the building will remain closed for 30 days -- a period that could get extended.

The KPMG International member firm in Argentina is tracking these matters closely.  We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.

1  See Decree 334/2021 (Decreto 334/2021), published (in Spanish) in the Boletín Oficial at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/244721/20210522 .

2  See Administrative Decision 512/2021 (Decisión Administrativa 512/2021), published (in Spanish) in the Boletín Oficial at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/244722/20210522 .

3  See Disposition 1302/2021 (Disposición 1302/2021), published (in Spanish) in the Boletín Oficial at: https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/244727/20210522 .

**Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Argentina.