Corona & Democracy - Argentina

On this page, we are collecting information on the effects of the measures taken to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus on democracy in Argentina.

Information on COVID-19 measures and democracy
Type of measures Measures & sources
Limitations to freedom of movement

   12 March:

  • Prime Minister issued Emergency Executive Order, which makes self-isolation mandatory for individuals coming to Argentina or who have entered Argentina in the last 14 days from critical areas. Foreigners in breach of these regulations may be deported from Argentina.

   15 March:

  • The government announced the travel ban for 30 days on entry to non-residents who have travelled to a country highly affected by the coronavirus in the last 14 days. In addition, the borders remain closed for non-residents for 15-days. Argentina has temporarily stopped issuing visas to travellers from countries affected by Covid-19 and cancelled almost all flights with the exception of repatriations.

   16 March:

  • The province Tierra del Fuego was the first one to be put in lockdown until 31 March.

   19 March:

  • Argentina announces national lockdown and mandatory quarantine to curb coronavirus until 31 March. People are allowed to leave their home only to shop for basic goods, like food and medicine, and gatherings of persons for any reason is prohibited. The quarantine is enforced by security officials. According to the penal code, punishments up to 15 years behind bars can be handed down for those who violate the government’s measures and propagates dangerous and/or contagious diseases for people. Also, administrative fines could be applied.

   30 March:

  • Prime Minister announces the extension of national lockdown until 12 April.

   10 April:

  • Prime Minister announces the extension of national lockdown until 27 April. This measure would be applied only in major cities.

 

   14 April:

  • Buenos Aires introduced mandatory use of Face Mask, violators can face a fine from 10,700 pesos to 79,180 pesos (or 165 U.S. dollars to 1,223 dollars) or risk that their business would be closed.

   25 April:

  • Prime Minister extended lockdown in major cities (with a population of 500,000 or more) until 10 May.

   27 April:

  • Argentina has banned all internal and international commercial flights until 1 September.

   8 May:

  • The government announces that quarantine restrictions have been extended until 24 May in Buenos Aires and its province. Several other cities have reversed In loosening restrictions after rising of cases.

24 May:

  • The government extended lockdown measures until June 7, as well as introducing more stringent traffic controls

28 May:

  • The government stated that the flight ban is not expected to be lifted before September 1.

5 June:

  • The lockdown measures were again extended, put in place on March 20, they will now reach until June 28

26 June:

  • Lockdown around and in Buenos Aires has been extended until July 17, while other lockdown restrictions also remain in the rest of the country (limiting movement to only necessary shopping.
Limitations to electoral rights

17 March:

  • Municipal elections are suspended in the Cordovan city of Río Cuarto until September
Limitation to civil rights
   16 March:

Argentine Supreme Court of Justice declared:

  • Non-business days from March 16 to 31, 2020, for the judicial proceedings filed in the Argentine Judiciary courts. The courts must suspend public attention and ensure a minimum provision of the justice service with magistrates and/or officials which are not included in the risk groups.
  • Improvement of digital formats
 
Risks to data security
  • Argentina data protection authority has issued a reminder of the legal and regulatory principles that apply when processing information about Coronavirus.
  • The government launched the app "Coronavirus Argentina", whose main objective is to allow the self-evaluation of symptoms in case of suspected Covid-19 infection , as well as keeping the population informed about prevention measures.
Limitations to freedom of information
   19 March:
Degree n. 298 has suspended the usual deadlines for administrative processes, including the processing of requests for public information.

In Argentina, criminal cases for "public intimidation" have been initiated against those who published information on their social networks that would be false. This would result in prison sentences of up to six years. "Cyber patrols" are being carried out, which would aim to identify accounts that spread false information. These tasks sought to detect "social humour" and they are regulated by a protocol of action, which is built in line with inter-American standards and in consultation with civil society.
 
Emergency powers for government
  • There is a lack of the required legal basis for action. Almost all the relevant decisions adopted by the Executive Branch were decisions that belonged to the Legislative Branch. Congress did not declare the state of emergency; however, the government is acting as under state of emergency:
    i) the concentration of powers in the hands of the Executive
    ii) the severe limitation of fundamental constitutional rights
    iii) the militarization of the public space
Corona laws - full text
Various  
 
Last updated on 09.07.2020

 

Please note that we are constantly updating the information under rapidly changing circumstances, the information on this page should not be taken to be a complete overview of measures in a country. 

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