Chile slows down the opening of land borders with an omicron variable | world | DW

The Chilean government announced on Monday (11.29.2021) the suspension of the opening of three land border crossings scheduled for Wednesday due to the omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as the ban on entry of people from seven African countries into the country. .

“Due to the global situation of the omicron variant, we have decided to postpone the opening of the land crossings that were announced a few days ago,” said Alberto Dugnac, Aid Networks agent, during a report on the epidemic situation in Chile.

The land passes that were to be opened are Chacaluta on the border with Peru; Pino Hatchado on the border with Argentina; Kulshan on the border with Bolivia.

Dujnak explained, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health, that the opening of these steps will be reassessed within two weeks, pending the national and international epidemiological development of the Omicron variant.

Restriction of entry of foreigners

Ómicron was first identified last week in South Africa and has already expanded to countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Israel, Portugal, Austria, Scotland and Spain.

Chile also announced that “From Wednesday, December 1, non-resident aliens who have spent the last 14 days in any of the following African countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatani and Mozambique will be prohibited.”

All Chileans and resident foreigners can enter Chile through authorized airports; All non-resident aliens who have been vaccinated with foods approved by the Ministry of Health; All non-resident aliens who meet certain exceptional requirements imposed by the Government; And all children under 6 years of age, regardless of their nationality, according to the Ministry of Health.

Chile has more than 1.7 million infections and more than 38,000 deaths from COVID-19 since they arrived in the country in March last year.

mg (afp, La Tercera)