Central and South America: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impact on Business Aviation

Central & South America COVID-19 Flight Restrictions

Argentina

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• Can US Pax operate: Yes, pax must not present symptoms and ask for special permit as government business or medevac.
• Types of flights allowed include: Business, Tech Stops, Medevac and Government, Humanitarian, Cargo, and Repatriation
• Test or forms required for entry: Proof of a negative COVID test taken within 48hrs of arrival, Health Form, and Immigration Form.
• Quarantine Details: Pax must undertake 14-day quarantine in a hotel designated by the government in the capital city. After the 14 days, pax can then move about freely and attend business meetings, etc.  All quarantine measures are for the length of stay, up to 14 days.
• Exemptions to Quarantine: Only government official flights with special permit do not need to do quarantine. Also, handler can request special permit for business flights with non-resident passengers to be exempt from quarantine, pending authorization from local authorities.
• Crews do not need to Quarantine for Business flights with special permit from the Government.
• Country website resources:
  • https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/en

General Restrictions for All Nationalities: Nonresident foreign nationals remain barred from entering the country until further notice.​ Tourism activities remained banned. All International flights are suspended until at least October 25. Tourism remains banned. Nonresident foreign nationals remain barred from entering the country until further notice. Flights into Argentina require special permission from the authorities, including technical stops and crew rest stops. Special allowance may be given for air ambulance flights and official flights. Restrictions are currently in place for flights from all countries. A temporary entry ban for all nonresident foreign nationals remains in place until further notice.

Form Requirements: A special permit is required for all operations, and will require a minimum 72 hrs. for processing. Requests can only be made Monday to Friday by ANAC (Civil aviation national administration).

A Health Declaration Form is required (this is a Legal Declaration of Health) along with the immigration form to be completed by all Pax and Crew.

COVID-19 Test Requirements: Proof of negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of aircraft arrival into Argentina or a doctor’s note issued within 48hrs and documenting no symptoms of COVID-19 is required.

Quarantine Requirements: Only citizens and residents may enter Argentina with a 14 day quarantine requirement.

Passenger Restrictions: Any inbound passengers must undertake 14-day quarantine in a hotel designated by the government in the capital city. Pax with an ID address in downtown will quarantine for 14 days in a Govt Mandated Facility or Hotel; Pax with an address NOT downtown can quarantine at their place of residence. In the Provinces, you can quarantine in your home. All passenger retuning or allowed entry to Argentina are required to wear mask and must practice social distancing.

Crew Restrictions: Crews are unable to rest on the aircraft. Crew can rest at an off-airport hotel. Crew members are allowed to stay 24 hours and depart to their destination or they can be in quarantine as passengers during 14 days. Crews do not have to Quarantine for Business flights with special permit from the Government.

Bolivia

October 15, 2020

​​General restrictions for U.S. pax:

•  Can US Pax operate: Yes
• Types of flights allowed include: Business, Leisure/Tourism, Tech Stops
• Test or forms required for entry: Upon arrival, all passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test not older than 7 days.
• Quarantine Details: none with negative test

General Restrictions: International flights are allowed. Passengers will require a negative COVID-19 test not older than 7 days. The test must be checked by the local Bolivian Consulate of the country of origin.  COVID-19 negative test is mandatory to enter Bolivia (not older than 14 days) for all passengers and crew.

COVID-19 negative test is mandatory to enter Bolivia (not older than 7days) for all passengers and crew.

People on board, except crew, shall not be permitted to disembark without authorization.

Brazil

October 21, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• US Pax can operate into Brazil under certain conditions.
• Types of flights allowed included: All flights.
• Quarantine is not required.
• Country website resources: https://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/portaria-cc-pr/mjsp/minfra/ms-n-1-de-29-de-julho-de-2020-269235614

General Restrictions: Non-Brazil citizens can now enter the country via air transportation. Brazil has reopened its borders to foreigners effective immediately. Anyone can enter, and tourists are allowed into the country for up to 90 days with no quarantine.

Please check with your Universal team for specifics.

Chile

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• U.S. pax can can operate to Chile only under certain conditions. They must request a special permit through the Chilean embassy or consulate.
• Quarantine not required with proof of negative COVID-19 test.
• Country website resources:
  • https://minrel.gob.cl/minrel/site/edic/base/port/inicio_eng.html
  • Health declaration form: https://www.ivisa.com/chile-health-declaration-form

General Restrictions: Authorities have banned nonresident foreign nationals from entering the country. The only passengers allowed to enter Chile until further notice are Chilean Citizens and Chilean residents, they need to have their personal document valid, each one of the passengers must be a Citizen or a resident, Visas can not be arranged at arrival. Diplomatic passengers are exempt if they have a consular permit issued by a Chilean authority. Any person allowed to enter will have to complete a 14 days quarantine or their place of residence or a Hotel.​

Colombia

October 28, 2020

Costa Rica

October 26, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

Special Considerations: Universal Aviation Costa Rica suggests landing at MROC through the General Aviation Terminal because they have the protocol for health inspection at arrival and the passenger can be pick up at MROC airport.  If they prefer, Universal Aviation Costa Rica can set up a ground transportation for them to the other airport (takes 15 minutes).

Ecuador

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• US Pax are allowed entry into Ecuador for business, tourism, or tech stops
• Proof of a negative PCR COVID test done within 10 days of flight date is required
• Health form required
• Quarantine is not required

General Restrictions: Ecuadorian Government has partially opened its borders, allowing Pax from many countries except Brazil and China. U.S. nationals are allowed entry.  Officials lifted the ban on international flights, but all passengers entering the country must have tested negative for COVID-19 in the 10 days prior to their arrival or must self-quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. ​Some cities have vehicular restrictions for permission to be on roads.

El Salvador

October 27, 2020

​​General restrictions for U.S. pax:

• U.S. Passengers can operate to El Salvador
• Negative COVID-19 PCR test required and taken within 72hrs of arrival.
• No quarantine requirements.
• Country website resources:
  • https://rree.gob.sv/ 
  • https://covid19.gob.sv/ 

General Restrictions: Airports open as of Sept 21.

• Business Travel Allowed:  – Yes, along with Leisure flights
• COVID-19 Test Required:  – Yes, passengers (2 years old and up) and crew need to have negative C19 PCR test taken not older than 72hrs. There are no quarantine requirements
• Arrival Process/Details: Any person entering the country will be screened by health officials to determine if they must remain in self-quarantine.
• Countries allowed / allowed with exceptions / not allowed:
  USA, Canada, Mexico and some countries from the following regions (Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa)

Guatemala

October 27, 2020

Guyana

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions – All Nationalities:

To get permission to fly to Guyana, a formal request is to be made to the Director General GCAA at least three working days prior to the proposed flight. COVID-19 Test Required: A COVID-19 test is required for all crew and passengers prior to arrival, within the last 14 days.

If the PCR COVID-19 test was taken up to 72 hours before their travel, they will be screened at arrival without further testing; however, if the test was taken between 4-7 days before travel, they will need as an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival. ​

• Country website resources:
  • https://www.health.gov.gy/

Honduras

October 27, 2020

​​​General Restrictions for US Pax:

General Restrictions: International flights from all four international airports resumed Aug. 17​. All incoming international travelers are required to complete the immigration precheck form and must present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival, taken within 72 hours prior to departure. ​

Officials intend to reopen all ports of entry to international passenger movements by end of October.​ ​

Nicaragua

October 27, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• Can US Pax operate: Yes
• Types of flights allowed include: Business, Leisure/Tourism, and Tech Stops
• Test or forms required for entry: Proof of negative COVID-19 test (SARS-COV-2 RNA, QL Real Time RT PCR) issued 72 hr in advance of flight, scanned copies of passports and local party contact Copies to be sent in advance and brought along on aircraft
• Quarantine Details: 15 day quarantine required
• Quarantine Exemptions: none

​​​General Restrictions for all others:

International passenger airlines extend the suspension of operations to and from Nicaragua through at least early November due to COVID-19. Repatriation flights are still continuing. Landing Permits are required and require the following: negative COVID-19 tests (SARS-COV-2 RNA, QL Real Time RT PCR) for crew and passengers issued 72 hours prior to arrival, and aircraft fumigation certificate must be issued 72 working hours in advance. 15 day quarantine is required.  In addition to being sent in advance, the hard copies of all COVID-19 tests and fumigation certificates must be brought along on the aircraft. Scanned copies of passports and local party contact also required.

Panama

October 22, 2020

General Restrictions for US PAX: 

• US Pax are allowed to enter the country.
• US Pax are allowed on all flights.
• Quarantine requirements: Quarantine is not required except for positive COVID-19 tests.
• Country website resources:
  • http://www.minsa.gob.pa/destacado/coronavirus-covin-19 

General Restrictions: Panama’s borders have reopened to all travelers, including Panamanian citizens, residents, and nonresident foreign nationals, as of Oct. 12, following an extended closure of all ports of entry in March. Arriving passengers will be subject to enhanced health screenings at all airports. All travelers must present a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival, or be subject to testing at the airport. If the test is negative, no quarantine will be required; however, the traveler will be required to quarantine at a government-approved location if the test is positive. A second test will be taken after seven days of quarantine; if it is positive, the traveler will be required to complete an additional seven days of quarantine.​

Paraguay

October 28, 2020

General restrictions for U.S. pax:

• Can US Pax operate: Yes.
• Types of flights allowed included: all
• Test or forms required for entry: PCR COVID Test (-72 hrs) Medical Insurance
• Quarantine Details: Required for the duration of the stay up to 14 days
• Quarantine Exemptions: With a negative COVID PCR test quarantine is only 7 days.
• Country website resources:

• • https://www.paraguay.gov.py/

General Restrictions: Airports are open and receiving flights.  

Travelers (nationals, residents of Paraguay and foreigners) must complete mandatory quarantine at their home for 14 days. Government shelters and health hotels remain available for those who do not wish to or are unable to isolate at home.

With a negative COVID-19 PCR test with in 72 hours of arrival quarantine will be lowered to only 7 days but must repeat the same test with a negative result on the 7th day of the quarantine.

For people who enter the country with stays less than 7 days will not require isolation but must show a negative result less than 72 hours before entering the country.

Forms Requirements:

Non residents must present international medical insurance with complete health coverage to include attention to COVID-19 cases, RT-PCR tests, laboratory studies, outpatient care, hospitalization and stays in the ICU.

A health card will need to be filled out upon arrival or 24 hours before their trip informing the Paraguayan Ministry of Health of any potential issues or exposure.

Peru

October 29, 2020

General Restrictions for US PAX: 

• Can US Pax operate: Yes, subject to Chancellery approval.
• Types of flights allowed include: tourism activities have not opened up in Peru
• Test or forms required for entry: If business flight is required, a request with a formal letter regarding the importance of the flight must be sent. This is subject to approval from Chancellery. PCR COVID-19 test required 72 hours prior to travel. Passengers and Crew members are required to complete an online declaration and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken 72 hours prior to travel.
• Quarantine Details: No, if the above conditions are followed.​

• Business Travel Allowed:  Yes, under certain conditions
• COVID-19 Test Required – Yes PCR test 72 Hours prior to travel.
• Health / Entry Form Required
• Quarantine Required: No Quarantine
• Countries Allowed- Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay. Others with Chancellery approval only. ( Gateways: Guayaquil, La Paz, Quito, Bogota, Santa Cruz, Cali, Medellin, Panama, Asuncion, Montevideo, and Santiago.​Travelers must go through one of the listed places. before arriving in Peru.)

Uruguay

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

• Can US Pax operate: No.
• Country website resources: https://www.gub.uy/ministerio-salud-publica/coronavirus

General restrictions for all others: Non-resident foreign nationals are banned from entering Uruguay. Entry ban does not apply to cargo operations. Passenger, commercial, and/or private flights may only operate in country in case of moving Uruguayan citizens. Flights transporting Uruguayan passengers will need to be confirmed by authorities 72 hours prior to operating with the following information attached: operator, contact phone number, data of flight, estimated date of entry and exit of the country, route, type of aircraft, insurance, maximum capacity of pax, number of pax, citizenship and country of residence. Special permit is required for any flights with returning passengers.

Venezuela

October 28, 2020

General Restrictions for US Pax:

•  Can US Pax operate: Only under certain conditions and ​must have a valid visa on passport.
• Types of flights allowed include: Only flights authorized by Venezuelan Foreign Affairs.
• Test or forms required for entry: Proof of a negative COVID test, Health form.
• Quarantine Details: For length of stay, up to 14 days.
• Exemptions to Quarantine: No.
• Country website resources: http://www.presidencia.gob.ve/Site/Web/Principal/paginas/classIndex.php
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General Restrictions: Except for Aircraft in Emergency the exempted flights are to seek pre-authorization from the Aeronautical Authority (INAC), Authorities of Health and Migration in accordance with Venezuelan AIP. These flights will be able to file to SVMI, SVMG, SVVA,SVBC as alternate airdromes.  These COVID-19 restrictions shall remain in place until Nov. 12.