The South American country has been hit hard by the pandemic, with over 200,000 people dead from the virus – the world's highest death rate per capita – according to AFP's tally of official data.

The decrease has become so drastic that it is affecting commercial shipping, electricity generation, fishing, tourism, as well as the provision of water for drinking and irrigation.

WHO says eight of the 10 countries reporting the highest mortality rates in the last week were in the Americas.

If the bill passes, it will make Argentina the first big country in Catholic Latin America to allow abortion on demand.