COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Paraguay (21 July Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Citizens and residents are permitted to enter the country.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• Yes

• Foreigners are allowed to enter.

Is a test required on arrival?

• No, with exceptions

• Air passengers will be subjected to temperature screening upon arrival.

• Travellers arriving without the negative test certificate will need to take an RT-PCR test at their own expense within 24 hours of arrival in Paraguay and enter self-isolation until the results are available.

Is a test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• LAMP, NAAT tests, and RT-PCR certificates issued outside of Paraguay are accepted. Antibody tests will not be accepted.

Test certificate required?

• Yes, with exceptions

• All travellers above the age of 10 must present a negative COVID-19 test certificate (RT-PCR, LAMP, NAAT) taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Paraguay. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of ten.

• Travellers who have had COVID-19 in the last 14 to 90 days prior to departure to Paraguay may enter the country with documentation of the same and may not need a current negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• All visitors (nationals, foreigners, and foreign residents) who enter the country will undergo mandatory quarantine for 5 days following the date of their pre-departure PCR test.

• The protocol recommends a five-day gap between the COVID-19 test that the traveller takes to enter the country and the second COVID-19 test, and the isolation may be undertaken either at a hotel, at home, or in available hostels. In case of a positive test result, travellers must remain in isolation for 7 more days and in case of being negative, they will be able to leave their isolation. More information can be found here.

• Paraguayan citizens and foreigners with residency in Paraguay who enter the country without the negative test certificate will need to take an RT-PCR test on arrival and remain in quarantine until negative results are received.

• Travellers who have had the COVID-19 disease between 14 and 90 days before entering the country must provide laboratory evidence. A new negative test will not be required, and travellers will remain in preventive isolation at their home, hotel, or place of permanent residence for 5 days after entering the country.

• People who cannot quarantine at their homes or other accommodations can quarantine at government shelters or health hotels by contacting the Inter-institutional Coordination Centre (CCI-CODENA) through email: [email protected]. The list of authorized hotels can be found here.

• Travellers arriving from Brazil are required to complete a 7-day quarantine at home or in a hotel in addition to the pre-entry test. Travellers from other regions of the world who made a stopover in transit of fewer than 24 hours in Brazilian territory must present the negative result of the COVID-19 test but will be exempted from quarantine requirements.

• Minors under the age of ten are not required to take a test.

• Based on the above restrictions, arriving travellers will be required to spend between five to 12 days in quarantine.

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country

Insurance required?

• Yes with exceptions

• All non-resident foreigners in Paraguay will be required to submit proof of international health insurance covering all expenses related to COVID-19, including tests and treatment.

• Citizens of MERCOSUR and associated countries are exempted from this requirement.

• Children under 18 years of age with a parent of Paraguayan nationality are exempted from this requirement.

Entry form required?

• Yes

• Foreign travellers are required to complete and submit an online health declaration form within 24 hours before departure to Paraguay. Travellers will be required to present the QR Code that certifies that the Traveler's Health Declaration Form was completed electronically within 24 hours prior to entering Paraguay.

Recommended Border App

• Yes

• “App COVID-19 Paraguay” is the recommended COVID-19 tracing app and can be found [here]
  (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=py.gov.mitic.appcovid19&hl=en_US).

Airline restrictions

• Minimal

• Commercial passenger flights to and from Paraguay are operating on a limited number of routes.

• Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is open.

Border restrictions

• Moderate

• Paraguay reopened its land and air borders. However, only authorized foreigners will be allowed to enter.

• The Friendship Bridge that connects Paraguay and Brazil is open.

• Under the free transit regime, residents of border cities, such as Ciudad del Este, Foz de Iguazu, Pedro Juan Caballero, Ponta Pora, Saltos del Guaira, Mundo Novo, and those who carry out their activities within the 30-kilometre radius of the border crossings with Brazil are allowed entry and exit. However, people who are allowed to enter the country under this regime must leave within 24 hours. Masks are mandatory for entry. The hours open for entry under this regime are:

• International Friendship Bridge: 5:00 to 14:00.

• Pedro Juan Caballero: 9:00 to 22:00.

• Saltos del Guairá: 6:00 to 21:00.

• Transportation of cargo is allowed across borders.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• A nationwide overnight curfew from 01:00 to 05:00 hours (local time) is in effect until 26 July.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Social events are allowed for a maximum duration of 4 hours, with mandatory use of facemasks and adherence to social distancing measures.

• Private social gatherings are permitted for up to 15 people.

• Up to 150 people are allowed at outdoor events.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Travellers must wear face masks while travelling on any public transportation.

• Four people are allowed to travel in private vehicles.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes

• Non-essential business activities and movements will be permitted between 05:00 to 01:00 hours (local time).

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• Hotels are operating subject to adherence to public health protocols.

Restaurants open?

• Yes

• Restaurants can operate from 05:00 to 01:00 hours (local time).

Bars and cafes open?

• Yes

• Bars are open. Cafes are allowed to operate from 05:00 to 01:00 hours (local time).

Beaches and tourist sites open?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Public access to beaches is allowed, subject to local restrictions.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Religious activities and services are allowed with limits on attendance and adherence to social distancing measures.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Public access to spas and pools is permitted, subject to pre-approval and operating guidelines.

Events allowed?

• Yes, with exceptions

• Social events are allowed for a maximum duration of 4 hours, with mandatory use of facemasks and adherence to social distancing.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are required in both indoor public spaces and outdoors. All travellers must wear a mask to board public transport.

Others

• In-person hybrid classes are allowed.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practice social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.