Argentinian officials on Monday moved to ban all international flights to and from the country in a move believed to be the strongest travel measures implemented by a world leader over the coronavirus outbreak.

CNBC and the BBC reported that a decree signed by the country's civil aviation agency grounded all international flights to and from Argentina until at least Sept. 1, when officials hope the ban will be lifted.

The decree is an escalation of Argentina's previous travel restrictions, which closed the borders of the country to nonresidents in March. Business leaders immediately criticized the plan, which they said would further cause economic turbulence amid the outbreak.

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ALTA, an industry group representing Central- and South-American airlines, told CNBC that the decree was not "agreed with the industry" before it was implemented.

“We understand the complex situation that the government is faced with and that its number one priority is to guarantee the health and safety of the population. However, we see it as our responsibility to express the industry’s deep concern regarding this resolution, especially since no consultation took place,” ALTA said in a statement.

“Many companies in the sector will not be able to survive if this resolution is implemented as planned. Therefore, we reiterate our call for a timely dialogue with the relevant authorities in order to ensure the survival of the sector, in support of the country’s overall socio-economic wellbeing,” it continued.

Argentina has confirmed more than 4,000 cases of coronavirus, and nearly 200 deaths from the disease according to Johns Hopkins University data.