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closed borders

Most Countries in the Americas Have Closed their Borders to Foreigners

Almost all countries in the Americas have closed their borders to foreigners. Even their own citizens returning from foreign countries are required to spend 14 days in isolation.

Some nations have only banned the entry of foreigners from countries with large cases of COVID-19 infection, such as Italy, Spain, and the United States.

Here is a list of countries in the Hemisphere and their measures to keep foreigners at bay.

Antigua and Barbuda

People who had recently traveled to China, the United States, Singapore, and any European country are banned from entering this Caribbean nation. Cruise ships with infected passengers are also told to stay away.

Argentina

Argentina has extended its ban on incoming foreigners for an indefinite period.

Bolivia

More than a fortnight has gone by after Bolivia shuttered all its airports. Today it is under curfew, and the prohibitory orders are likely to remain in place until April 15.

Bahamas

The Bahamas’’ borders have been closed until April 15.

Barbados

Passengers arriving from China, Europe, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States are required to be quarantined for 14 days.

Belize

Belize has closed its seaports, but its airports have remained operational. However, foreigners who had recently traveled to the high-risk countries are not allowed to enter.

Brazil

Foreigners arriving by air are banned in Brazil until April 30. However, the South American country has not fully closed all its borders. Its seaports are still open, and cruise ships can enter. However, passengers need to spend 15 days in quarantine.

Canada

Canada has barred foreigners from entering its territory, but some US citizens are exempted. In other words, Americans who commute to Canada daily for work are allowed to enter. Trucks and trains carrying goods are also exempted from these new measures, according to the New York Times. The travel ban is set to be in force until April 20.

According to the news daily, only four Canadian airports are currently accepting international flights: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, and Calgary International Airport.

Interestingly, Canada has not banned people from Mexico and a few Caribbean countries.

Chile

Chile has closed its borders for an indefinite period, making 14-days quarantine mandatory for all new arrivals

Colombia

On March 23, Colombia shut down its airports, banning all foreigners from entering its territory. The measures will remain in place until May 30.

Costa Rica

The Central American country has closed its both land and sea borders. Anyone entering the country, including aircrew, must stay in isolation for 14 days.

Even its own citizens stranded in a foreign country cannot re-enter the country without prior notice. The measures will be in effect until April 30.

Cuba

Foreigners are banned, flights are suspended, and new arrivals should isolate themselves for 15 days.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is busy sending out foreign citizens stranded in its territory. On March 19, it banned incoming travelers for 15 days. There are no reports on whether the measures are still in place.

Dominica

All flights are under suspension.

Ecuador

Ecuador has ‘closed its borders’ in all sense. Neither foreigners nor its own citizens can enter the country for the next 21 days, according to its decree issued on March 16.

El Salvador

On March 11, El Salvador barred entry to all foreigners. Foreign diplomats are, however, exempted from the measure.

Guatemala

On March 16, the Central American country ordered its borders closed for 15 days. It is expected to revisit its decision sometime this week.

Grenada

Those who had visited any European country should spend 15 days in quarantine. Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) and Lauriston Airport (CRU) were closed for all passenger traffic from March 23.

Guyana

Airports across the country are partially closed for 14 days. However, domestic flights are still operating.

Haiti

It has closed its border with the Dominican Republic, imposing a curfew. Haiti has not banned flights from the United States.

Honduras

All but cargo flights have been grounded for an indefinite period.

Jamaica

Jamaica has banned travelers from Iran, China, South Korea, and European countries, in addition to making 14-day quarantine mandatory for new arrivals.

Mexico

The US-Mexico border has remained open, but countries have banned ‘non-essential’ travel, including tourism.

Panama

The country has banned all international flights as well as domestic passenger flights.

Paraguay

Paraguay has suspended flights from Europe but has kept its border with Brazil open for goods transport.

Peru

The country is under lockdown, and the measures will remain in place until April 12.

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Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has promised to quarantine all new passengers for 14 days.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

The Caribbean country has banned people from infected countries. If they do come, they will be subjected to a 14-day quarantine.

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia imposed restrictions on travelers arriving from Europe and China. Its airports are currently closed.

United States

The US has restricted non-essential travel on its borders with Mexico and Canada. Both Mexican and Canadian nationals who daily commute for work would still be allowed in. It has banned people arriving from China, Iran, and European countries.

American citizens coming from high-risk countries need to fly to one of its 13 airports. Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois, are also among them.

Uruguay

Uruguay has closed its land border with Brazil and Argentina, in addition to barring all foreigners from the country until April 13. None of its airports are operating commercial flights to foreign countries.

Venezuela

No foreigner is welcomed in Venezuela until April 13. It has closed its land borders, and the measures will likely be extended for another 30 days.

Narayan Ammachchi

News Editor for Nearshore Americas, Narayan Ammachchi is a career journalist with a decade of experience in politics and international business. He works out of his base in the Indian Silicon City of Bangalore.

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