On April 27 the Government issued Decree 408/2020, officially extending the Social, Preventive and Compulsory Isolation (ASPO, in Spanish) until May 10, 2020. However, it authorized recreational outings in provinces and left it up to these to issue the pertinent ruling, allowing jurisdictions with populations of under half a million to make further exceptions. The decree came into force on the same day.
The decree authorizes governors to decide whether to adopt the exceptions or not, taking into account the following epidemiological criteria:
- The time taken for confirmed cases of COVID-19 to double must be no less than 15 days.
- The health system must have sufficient capacity to respond to potential health demands.
- There must be a positive evaluation by the health authorities of the social and health risks regarding population density.
In addition, the government adopted Administrative Decision 663/2020, increasing the scope of the Emergency Assistance Program for Work and Production (ATP, in Spanish), to include the following:
- Dairy production
- Recovery of metallic and non-metallic materials and waste
- Decontamination and other waste management services
- Fuel wholesale
- Research and development in several areas
- Services for public order, security, justice and civil protection
- Game room services
- Services for business and employers’ organizations
- Services for professional organizations
In addition, self-employed workers and independent taxpayers will be able to access zero-interest credit under the ATP program through a bank credit card selected by the Internal Revenue Service (AFIP, in Spanish). To see more details click here.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Argentina (BCRA, in Spanish) will request banks to issue credit cards for people without one so that they can access the zero-interest credit. Interested parties may arrange to get a credit card at the bank of their choice and receive the benefit. For more information click here.
The BCRA adopted communication A6993, which sets out the guidelines to be followed by financial institutions granting zero-interest credits which will have to check with the AFIP to see who is eligible. Banks will have up to two working days to pay the financing into people’s credit card accounts. For people lacking a credit card, the bank will have to issue them with one and open a “Deposit Account for in-store purchases.” Financing must be credited in three equal consecutive monthly installments and repayment contemplates a grace period of six months.