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Peru: Interior Minister urges population to respect Sundays curfew, gatherings are banned

Interior Minister Jorge Montoya urged the population to respect the measures aimed at avoiding an increase in COVID-19 cases in Peru.

12:46 | Lima, Aug. 14.

Interior Minister Jorge Montoya on Friday urged the population to comply with the measures established by the Executive Branch —such as mandatory social immobilization (curfew) on Sundays— in order to avoid an increase in COVID-19 cases in Peru.

In this sense, the government official indicated that the Peruvian National Police —supported by the Armed Forces— will enforce the regulations decreed by the Government and deploy all the troops that are necessary to safeguard and protect the population.

"I urge all our compatriots to comply with what is established, it's not difficult to do so, it's not difficult to wear a face mask, it's not difficult to maintain social distancing, nor to wash our hands. Those are the three things we must do to protect ourselves, not just us, but our families too," he expressed.

The high-ranking official also suggested that "if there is no need to leave the house, then it must not be done. Instead, let's stay with our families," but "if we do it for emergency or for work purposes, let's take the necessary precautions."

Regarding the functions of the Armed Forces and police during social immobilization on Sundays, he ensured that "they will act with energy but without any abuse."

"We urge the population to comply with the rules; social gatherings are prohibited not only on Sundays but on a daily basis, small soccer matches are prohibited, not only on Sundays but on a daily basis (…)," he said.

Montoya added that the Constitution includes an article regarding the inviolability of homes, and that has been restricted on Sundays. Therefore, the police can enter any property whose residents do not obey the rules.

Measures

The Peruvian Government has approved Supreme Decree N°139-2020-PCM, which declares quarantine entirely focused on 6 regions of the country: Arequipa, Ica, Huanuco, Junin, Madre de Dios and San Martin, as well as on 36 provinces due to an increase in the level of COVID-19 contagion.

In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday afternoon, President Martin Vizcarra indicated that said measure was taken based on the information provided by Health Ministry scientists and medical personnel in charge of monitoring the development of the pandemic nationwide.

Curfew

During the national state of emergency, mandatory social immobilization (curfew) is provided from 10:00 p.m. to 04:00 a.m. the next day, Mondays thru Saturdays.

However, in the regions of Arequipa, Ica, Junin, Huanuco, San Martin and Madre de Dios curfew is in force from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day.

Also, on Sundays, nationwide compulsory social immobilization will be in force all day long until 4:00 am on Monday.

It must be noted that —during the mandatory social immobilization— strictly necessary personnel, who participate in the provision of food supply, health, financial and restaurant services for home delivery, will be exempted from the measure.

(END) JCC/CVC/MVB

Publicado: 14/8/2020