              
             English Version
            
                    search
                    close

Peru: Govt to grant second bonus to vulnerable families amid emergency extension

15:09 | Lima, Mar. 27.

The Government has ordered the transfer of a second bonus to vulnerable families in Peru given the extension of the coronavirus (COVID-19) state of emergency until April 12, President Martin Vizcarra announced on Friday.

The Head of State explained that the first bonus —worth S/380 (about US$107) to be collected by each beneficiary— had been calculated for the first 15 days of the social isolation measure —based on the monthly basic family basket.

Since the emergency measure has been extended for another 13 days, the period will reach almost a full month.

"Consequently, we are ordering that —once the Ministry of Economy has completed the first transfer— a second transfer will have to start immediately. We must support families for the entire month," the top official expressed.

"Just as we had asked all Peruvians to make the effort to comply with the measure not only for 15 days but for 28 days, we must put our hands in the pockets of the Public Treasury accounts, so that we can attend to the needs of vulnerable families during these difficult times Peru is going through," he added.

On March 16, President Vizcarra announced that the Council of Ministers had approved an exceptional bonus of S/380 (about US$107) for each vulnerable family throughout the 15-day social isolation period decreed by the Government to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Last Thursday, the statesman affirmed that the extraordinary bonus would be extended to 800,000 additional households composed of independent workers, thus leading to a total 3.5 million beneficiaries.

Remarks were made in a televised press conference, within the framework of a

mandatory social isolation imposed to prevent the COVID-19 from further spreading in the South American country.

Initially set to last from March 16 to 30, the measure has been extended thru April 12.

On this occasion, the President was joined by members of the Council of Ministers and other authorities. The event was held at the Government Palace in Lima.

Friday marks the twelfth day of mandatory social isolation.

(END) VVS/CCV/MVB

Publicado: 27/3/2020