The Argentinian government's response to COVID-19
The first case of COVID-19 in Argentina was reported at the beginning of March 2020. By the end of that month, a national lockdown aimed at mitigating the spread of the new virus had been put in place by the local government. The mandate consisted of several restrictions, including the closure of schools and other establishments, and limited movement between regions. After its implementation in March of that year, the ruling was extended several times. By October 2021, Greater Buenos Aires was considered one of the regions with the longest cumulative pandemic lockdowns in the world, with a total of 245 days recorded.After a critical period, restrictions were gradually lifted. The plan consisted of five main phases, considering local and national restrictions put in place according to specific indicators. However, as a result of the mandate and despite an eventual lifting of restrictions, the local economy has been strongly affected. In 2020, the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by an estimated 10 percent, and Argentinian households saw their purchasing power diminished by one of the highest inflation rates in the world.
The country’s vaccination rollout
While being one of the most affected countries by the COVID-19 pandemic within the Latin American region, Argentina is now also one of the countries with the most advanced vaccination campaigns. The South American nation ranks fifth in the number of doses administered per 100 people. As of January 2023, more than 91 percent of the population had been vaccinated at least once, while 83 percent of people were considered fully vaccinated. Additionally, Argentinians had already started receiving booster shots. By mid-2022, Argentina had a total of 170 million confirmed doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Together, Moderna and Sinopharm accounted for nearly half of the total doses allocated to the South American country.Find the most up-to-date information about the coronavirus pandemic in the world under Statista’s COVID-19 facts and figures site.
