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Safety and COVID19 Precautions if travelling to Latin America during the coming holidays

With the evolution of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the governments of the region have implemented diverse measures to protect their populations from an increase in the levels of infections.

Although the risk of being infected is very high in all of the region, if you decide to travel to Latin America, you should have in mind the following considerations:

  1. Travel may increase your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops are all places travelers can be exposed to the virus. These are also places where it can be hard to keep social distance. If you travel, take steps before, during, and after travel to keep yourself and others from getting COVID-19.
  2. Delay travel if you are waiting for test results, test positive, are sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Find out more about When to Delay Travel.

Before You Travel

  1. Travelers should avoid all travel to Latin America. If you must travel, talk to your doctor ahead of travel, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. 
  2. Get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip, keep a copy of your results with you during travel.
  3. Do not travel if your test result is positive; immediately isolate yourself, and follow public health recommendations.
  4. If traveling by air, check if your airline requires any health information, test results, or other documents. Follow entry requirements or restrictions at your destination which might include testing, quarantine, and providing contact information. Check with your destination’s Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers. If you test positive on arrival, you might be required to isolate.

Travel Security Strategies LATAM

During Travel

  1. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. It’s important to do this everywhere—both indoors and outdoors.
  2. Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces, including when using public transportation. 
  3. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
  4. Avoid contact with anyone who is sick.
  5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  6. Do not travel if you are sick.
  7. Get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before traveling back to the United States.

After You Travel

  1. Get tested 3–5 days after your trip AND stay home for 7 days after travel.
  2. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days.
  3. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected.
  4. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home for 14 days after travel.ç
  5. Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not.
  6. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel.
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