Andina

Peru closes beaches to avoid crowds and increase in COVID-19 cases

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

Photo: ANDINA/Renato Pajuelo

09:00 | Lima, Dec. 22.

Peruvian beaches will be closed from December 22 (2020) to January 4 (2021) in order to avoid crowds and the increase in COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti has announced.

The government official reported that the permitted visitor capacity at shopping centers has been reduced to 40% in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad regions, as well as in Santa Province (Ancash region), Lima Metropolitan Area, Lima Provinces, and Callao, during said period.

Additionally, the daily curfew time has been changed in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, and La Libertad regions, as well as in Santa Province (Ancash region), where the movement of people will be limited between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.

In the case of Lima Metropolitan Area, Lima Provinces, and Callao, the mandatory social immobilization will be in place from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Remarks were made in a press conference held on Monday night, in which Mazzetti reported on the measures adopted by the Government to deal with the recently observed increase in COVID-19 cases in various regions across the country.

At the event, she was joined by Ministers Ricardo Cuenca (Education), Jose Luis Chicoma (Production), Claudia Cornejo (Foreign Trade and Tourism), and Silvana Vargas (Development and Social Inclusion).

Migration control

Minister Mazzetti noted that the COVID-19 situation in the country is being closely monitored, placing emphasis on three aspects: the occupancy of hospital beds, the occupancy of intensive care units, and the death toll.

In this sense, she explained that her sector —in coordination with regional governments— has adopted specific measures to tackle the pandemic, which will enter into force starting today, December 22.

Moreover, she announced that the migration control will be strengthened in the country's northern border region, in conjunction with the National Police and the Armed Forces.

(END) CCH/RMB/MVB

Published: 12/22/2020