Get to know COVID-19 measures announced by Peru on day 15 of emergency response

00:00 | Lima, Mar. 31.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced the new measures adopted as part of the state of national emergency declared in response to cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Below is a list of the main announcements:

1. 13,452 samples were processed, 950 of which tested positive. 238 of the confirmed cases involved hospitalized patients, 49 of whom are in the Intensive Care Unit and 37 receive mechanical ventilation. 53 have been declared healthy and discharged from health facilities.

2. On Sunday, 2,909 people were arrested across the country. In total, 33,000 people have been detained over the course of 15 days for failing to comply with the social isolation and mandatory immobilization measures. Most of the arrests were recorded in Lima, La Libertad, Piura, and Loreto regions.

3. The compulsory social immobilization across the country will begin earlier from 06:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m. as of Tuesday, while in Lambayeque, La Libertad, Loreto, Piura, and Tumbes the curfew will run from 04:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m. due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

4. Reserve soldiers, summoned to Army units and divisions, will respond to the call-up starting April 1.

The first stage of the state of national emergency —which ended on Monday— yielded the expected results and lowered the estimated infection curve. According to experts, 5,000 people would have been infected as at March 30, if the State had not taken action, but there are 950 COVID-19 positive cases.

6. The Government authorized workers, who have not been on the payroll within the last 12 months, to withdraw up to S/2,000 (around US$584) from private pension funds (AFPs). This measure is expected to benefit 2.6 million contributors with a total of S/5.3 billion (around US$1.5 billion).

7. No cases of COVID-19 have been reported among inmates at prisons and youth detention centers throughout the country, nor among the staff at the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE). Restrooms were improved, water-electricity provision time was increased, as well as food rations at prisons.

8. Two of the Pan American Village towers —equipped with 900 beds— started operations today, March 30. Only patients who require hospitalization, except those who are seriously ill, will be admitted.

(END) FHG/CVC/RMB/MVB

Publicado: 31/3/2020