Public Health Emergency: COVID-19. List of Activities Exempted from Compliance with Mandatory Preventive Social Isolation

To facilitate the search for activities exempted from compliance with the Mandatory Preventive Social Isolation implemented through Emergency Decree No. 297/2020, we have compiled the various lists issued by the National Public Administration. We have also organized the activities according to the jurisdiction responsible for granting the required permits.

I) Essential Activities

Emergency Decree No. 297/2020 (the “Decree”) came into effect on March 20, 2020, establishing the implementation of Mandatory Preventive Social Isolation (the “Quarantine”). From its inception, the Decree included a list of 24 activities that were exempted from isolation, as they were considered essential in the context of the public health emergency.

However, the original list proved insufficient to cover the broad range of urgent needs of a modern society. As a result, it was complemented on the same day of publication in the Official Gazette by an administrative decision. One month into the Quarantine, the National Public Administration (the “NPA”) had already issued five Administrative Decisions incorporating new essential activities, as well as protocols for their operation.

Additionally, the NPA has established that certain exceptions require permits from the competent jurisdiction. To that end, the NPA and the Government of the City of Buenos Aires have made available on their official websites the lists of current permits for each exemption, which are updated as new exceptions are issued:

• https://www.argentina.gob.ar/coronavirus/aislamiento/exceptuados

• https://www.buenosaires.gob.ar/coronavirus/solicitud-de-permiso-de-transito-durante-emergencia-por-coronavirus#ListadoPermisos

Below, we list the essential activities and indicate which jurisdiction must issue the certificate (note: original item numbering from each regulation is preserved):

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II) Certificates to Be Requested Through the TAD Platform (https://tramitesadistancia.gob.ar/):

A) Decree No. 297/2020

• 7. Individuals engaged in funeral, burial, and cremation services. Gatherings of people are not permitted in this context.

  10. Public works personnel.

  11. Wholesale and retail supermarkets, neighborhood convenience stores. Pharmacies. Hardware stores. Veterinary clinics. Gas cylinder suppliers.

  12. Food industries, their supply chains and inputs; personal hygiene and cleaning products; medical equipment, medicines, vaccines, and other healthcare supplies.

  19. Home delivery services for food, medicine, hygiene, cleaning products, and other essential items.

  20. Laundry services.

  22. Essential surveillance, cleaning, and security services.

  23. Minimum crews ensuring operation and maintenance of oil and gas fields, treatment and/or refining plants, electricity and fuel transportation and distribution, fuel stations, and electricity generators.

B) Administrative Decision No. 429/2020

• 1. Industries with continuous processes that, if interrupted, would suffer structural damage, may request authorization from the Secretariat of Industry, Knowledge Economy and Foreign Trade Management to continue operations at minimal levels.

  3. Nuclear power plant operations.

  4. Hotels designated for emergency health services must also continue servicing guests already accommodated as of the issuance of Decree No. 297/20.

  5. Minimum personnel required to operate the Argentine Aircraft Factory Brig. San Martín S.A.

  6. The National Securities Commission may authorize minimum staffing and that of its regulated entities, if necessary.

  7. Airport operations. Garages and parking operations with minimum staff.

  8. Activities related to mining environmental protection.

  9. Tanneries, with minimal personnel, for processing hides from meatpacking operations.

  10. Restaurants, prepared food establishments, and fast food venues may operate via home delivery services, subject to specific health authority protocols.

C) Administrative Decision No. 450/2020

• 1. Sale of construction materials and supplies through authorized distributors.

  2. Activities related to forestry and mining production, distribution, and sales.

  3. Tanneries, sawmills, and wood product manufacturers, mattress factories, and agricultural and road machinery factories.

  4. Foreign trade-related activities: export of finished products and import of essential goods for economic functioning.

  5. Exploration, prospecting, production, transformation, and commercialization of nuclear fuel.

  6. Essential maintenance and fumigation services.

  7. Credit unions and cooperatives, with minimal staff, solely for credit and payment system operations.

  8. Registration, identification, and documentation of individuals.

D) Administrative Decision No. 468/2020

• 1. Notarial activity.

E) Administrative Decision No. 490/2020

• 3. In-person banking services, only by appointment.

  4. Automotive, motorcycle, and bicycle maintenance workshops, strictly for public transport, security, armed forces, health services, or authorized personnel vehicles.

  5. Sale of parts and spare parts for vehicles only through home delivery — no in-store service allowed.

  6. Tire manufacturing; sale and repair exclusively for vehicles mentioned above.

  7. Sale of office supplies and IT equipment strictly through home delivery — no in-store service allowed.

F) Administrative Decision No. 524/2020

• 4. Sale of pre-manufactured goods by retail stores via e-commerce, telephone sales, or other non-contact methods — home delivery only, with appropriate health protocols and logistical planning.

  8. Insurance company adjusters and loss assessors involved in processing claims and payments. All operations must be virtual — no in-person service allowed.

  9. Facilities providing assistance to victims of gender-based violence.

  10. Production for export, with prior authorization from the Ministry of Productive Development.

  11. Specific industrial processes, also with prior authorization from the Ministry of Productive Development.

G) Joint Resolution No. 2/2020 by the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of the Interior

This resolution establishes the “Certificate to Return Home” for individuals who, due to the quarantine, have been stranded in a residence different from their usual place of residence.

“Usual residence” is defined as the one listed on the national ID, unless proof of change is presented.

Application link: https://regresoacasa.argentina.gob.ar/

H) Resolution No. 90/2020 by the Ministry of Transport

This resolution establishes the “Procedure for the Authorization of Exceptional Transfers for Health and/or Humanitarian and/or Supply Reasons” (the “Procedure”).

Through this Procedure, a certificate is issued to individuals exempt from the quarantine. The authorized transport company is responsible for notifying the Ministry of Transport.

To check whether a transport company is authorized, visit:
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/consultar-conductores-vehiculos-y-empresas-habilitadas

Link to the resolution and its annex:
https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/227887/20200416?busqueda=1

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III) Certificates to Be Requested Through the CABA Platform

https://permisos.seguridadciudad.gob.ar/Solicitud/Default.aspx

A) Decree No. 297/2020

1. Healthcare personnel, security forces, armed forces, immigration services, national meteorological service, firefighters, and air traffic control.

2. Senior authorities of the national, provincial, municipal governments, and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires; workers of the national, provincial, municipal public sector and of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, called upon to guarantee essential activities required by the respective authorities.

3. On-duty personnel of justice services, as established by the competent authorities.

4. Foreign diplomatic and consular personnel accredited to the Argentine government, within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as personnel of international organizations accredited to the Argentine government, the Red Cross, and White Helmets.

Note: You must also have certification from the senior authority of each of these representations and entities verifying the status of the mentioned persons.

5. Persons who must assist others with disabilities; family members needing assistance; elderly persons; children and adolescents.

Note: You must also have the corresponding sworn statement as applicable:

• Sworn statement of assistance to elderly persons, along with a copy of the ID and address of the person to be assisted.

• Sworn statement of assistance to children and adolescents.

• Persons assisting others with disabilities must attach a copy of the disability certificate.

6. Persons attending a situation of force majeure.

7. Persons involved in the care of school cafeterias, community kitchens, and soup kitchens.

Note: You must also have the sworn statement for school cafeterias, community kitchens, and soup kitchens.

9. Personnel working in audiovisual, radio, and print communication services.

Note: You must attach a copy of the certification issued by the competent authority or employer certification that includes the company name, phone number, and other data enabling proper identification of the company, employer’s Unique Tax Identification Code (CUIT), name, ID number and address of the worker, their qualification as essential personnel, and the workplace address, as required by the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Security of the Nation.

13. Activities related to agricultural production, distribution, marketing, and fishing.

Note: You must also have the sworn statement from the National Executive Transport Consultant (CENT).

14. Telecommunications activities, fixed and mobile internet, and digital services.

Note: You must also have the sworn statement from the National Communications Entity (ENACOM).

15. Urgent activities related to foreign trade.

16. Collection, transport, and treatment of urban solid waste, hazardous and pathogenic waste.

Note: You must also have the sworn statement from the National Executive Transport Consultant (CENT).

17. Maintenance of basic services (water, electricity, gas, communications, etc.) and emergency attention.

Note: You must attach a copy of the certification issued by the competent authority or employer certification that includes company name, phone number, and other data enabling proper identification of the company, employer’s CUIT, worker’s name, ID number, address, essential personnel qualification, and workplace address, as required by the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security.

18. Public passenger transport, freight transport, petroleum, fuels, and LPG.

19. Postal and parcel delivery services.

Note: You must also have the sworn statement from the National Executive Transport Consultant (CENT).

24. The Mint (Casa de Moneda), ATM services, cash transport, and all activities deemed essential by the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic to guarantee the payment system’s operation.

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B) Administrative Decision No. 429/2020

2. Production and distribution of biofuels.

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C) Joint Resolution No. 16/2020

Through this resolution, the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires established that adults over 70 years old must contact the citizen service (147) prior to leaving their residence. The permit is granted with a validity of 48 hours.

The following persons are exempt from requesting this permit:

1. Healthcare personnel, security forces, armed forces, immigration services, national meteorological service, firefighters, and air traffic control.

2. Senior authorities of the national, provincial, municipal governments, and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

3. Foreign diplomatic and consular personnel accredited to the Argentine government, within the framework of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, as well as personnel of international organizations accredited to the Argentine government, the Red Cross, and White Helmets.

4. Personnel working in audiovisual, radio, and print communication services.

5. Holders of activities and services declared essential by Decree No. 297/PEN/20 and those authorized by Administrative Decisions Nos. 429/20, 450/20, 467/20, 468/20, and 490/20, as well as those established in the future.

6. Persons who must receive vaccinations according to the established schedule and/or undergo scheduled medical treatments.

7. Persons who must collect their salary or pension on the scheduled payment day.

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Finally, here are the links to Decree 163/2020 of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and its Annex I, which are part of the documentation required to request certain permits:

• Decree 163/2020: https://boletinoficial.buenosaires.gob.ar/normativaba/norma/512595

• Annex I: https://documentosboletinoficial.buenosaires.gob.ar/publico/PE-DEC-AJG-AJG-163-20-ANX.pdf