CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

When activities restart during next phase of quarantine in Buenos Aires City

President Alberto Fernández announces loosening of lockdown restrictions in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and phased re-opening of activities, despite surge in confirmed cases and deaths from Covid-19.

A group of health agents walking on the street to search covid cases. Foto: Ronaldo Schemidt

From Monday, Buenos Aires City will begin a six-phase reopening plan, which will include social distancing, minimum social contact and the opening of local shops and small shopping districts. 

In a nod to fears about the health and wellbeing of citizens and children, outings for exercise and the young will be permitted as from July 20, with kids now allowed out during the week in set timeframes. 

Schools will remain closed as their potential reopening is analysed and restrictions on the use of public transport will also remain in place, with services dedicated for essential workers only.

 

Monday July 20

● Local and neighbourhood shops to reopen (excluding clothing and footwear). Restrictions in place on what day citizens can leave their homes, depending on DNI national identity card numbers (those ending in even numbers leave on even days, odd numbers on odd days etc.)

● Food and drink establishments, only for take-away. 

● Administration units of educational institutions.

● Individual physical activity, with extended hours from 6pm to 10am the following morning (DNI restrictions apply, those ending in even numbers on even days, odd numbers on odd days; no more than two people together at any time, with minimum distance of two metres; Use of face mask exemptions only during running, not for cyclists or those out walking).

● Lawyers and public notaries

● Music for streaming purposes.

 

Tuesday, July 21

● Children allowed out of homes for recreational outings for a maximum of one hour per day (hours extended from 10am to 6pm, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays; no restrictions depending on DNI numbers, but only within 500 metres of homes; All children over age of six to follow social distancing guidelines and wear facemasks).

● Temporary opening of public squares and parks, without the use of playgrounds or exercise points.

 

Wednesday, July 22

● Neighbourhood clothing and footwear stores may now re-open.

● Religious houses of worship may open for administrative tasks, online celebrations and individual prayer with capacities and limits in place.

● Car washes.

● Dog-walkers.

● Industrial production of toys.

 

Saturday, July 25

● House moves authorised, but only on weekends.

 

Monday, July 27

● Recreational outings for children extended to every day from 10am to 6pm, one hour per day.

● Lawyers

● Art galleries with pre-booked appointments.

 

Wednesday, July 29

● Hairdressers and beauty salons.

● Psychologists, educational psychologists and occupational therapists.

● Kinesiologists working with neurodevelopmental disorders and the elderly

● Speech pathologists who work with those suffering from autism.

 

Monday, August 3

● Local businesses in areas of high circulation may re-open, including clothing and footwear stores. Does not include large shipment areas, such as Liniers, Retiro and Constitución, and Calle Avellaneda and Once.

 

Full details of the re-opening is available on the Buenos Aires City government’s website: https://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/