Luis Escobar / La Paz
The national government reduced the requirements for foreigners to enter the country. Now, international tourists will only need to have the anticovid vaccination card or a PCR or nasal antigen test with a negative result. The tourism sector welcomed the measure and said that it is the first step for the reactivation of the activity, but indicated that there is still a comprehensive plan to improve this item.
“Mandatory, it will only be requested to have the vaccination certificate against covid in physical or digital format. (They must present) with a complete schedule of two doses or single doses if it is the Janssen with at least 14 days before the date of admission, ”said the Minister of Health, Jeyson Auza.
The authority added that foreigners who do not have the vaccine may also enter the country upon presentation of a PCR or nasal antigen test. This document will be required of all persons over five years of age.
If it is by air, the test must be carried out up to 72 hours before shipment. In case of entering by land, river or lake, it must be done 72 hours before entering Bolivian territory.
In case of a nasal antigen test, it should be done 48 hours before.
According to Auza, foreigners must maintain biosecurity measures: the use of chinstraps, physical distancing and constant hand washing.
“With these measures we try to contribute to economic reactivation by maintaining biosecurity measures. We must be aware that our progress in the fight against the pandemic may mean collaborating with the (greater) flow of tourists. This will allow increasing economic activity, which is so important in the sector”, said Minister Auza.
The reduction of the requirements for the entry of visitors to the country occurred a week after the tourism sector began with a series of protests and marches at the seat of government.
Marco Mercado, president of the Bolivian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Abavyt), considered that this measure represents a first step for the reactivation of the sector. “It is a demand that all the tourism sectors had and they were made known to the different government authorities. The result, especially for travel agencies, is seen as something positive”, he stated.
Mercado explained that the elimination of the presentation of negative PCR tests will allow more foreign tourists to see Bolivia as an interesting destination. “They should no longer spend money on this type of testing, considering that other countries have already made the determination,” he said.
The representative added that this limitation will also allow national tourists to travel abroad and not have to include the PCR test in their expenses when returning to Bolivia.
Mercado said that the tourism sector was hit hard by the pandemic in the last two years and that not only a measure like yesterday’s is required for a reactivation. “A set of actions is needed for the sector to reactivate. A real plan for reactivation must be drawn up and various deputy ministries must be involved,” he stated.
He asked to eliminate Supreme Decree 4754, which provides for rigorous control of the movements of tourists entering the country. Visitors must report their location at each change of hotel, put the name of the owner and take a photo of the establishment or house where they stay. In case of not sending the information, there are fines.
It demanded more flights and entry of more airlines to the country. “The private sector needs better air connectivity. Without airlines, we have no tourists and no economic upheaval. We need to improve connections, considering that other countries have made more flexible and encouraged the arrival of more lines”, he said.
air problems
- Developing The sector considered internal air connectivity to be a problem. For example, for Uyuni there are only BOA flights on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. According to representatives of the sector, Before Amaszonas had two daily flights to the municipality of Uyuni and even three in high season.
- Chuquisaca Jorge Valle, president of the Airline Association (ALA), explained that there are no direct connections to go to Sucre either. “Everyone must go through Cochabamba and that is determined by BOA. Other lines -such as Amaszonas or Ecojet- are punished with fines; they have planes stopped, they reduced or suspended flights, ”he maintained.
