Peru closes borders due to coronavirus

The closure includes the suspension of international passenger transport by land, air, sea, and river. It must be noted the transport of cargo and merchandise is not included in the measure.

"I want to emphasize, once again, that these measures, in no way, entail the closure of commercial establishments selling basic need products, pharmacies or banks, which will continue to operate and will be permanently supplied," the Head of State said when making the corresponding announcement in a televised Address to the Nation.

As is known, the Executive Branch declared a state of national emergency for a period of 15 days, which started on Monday and implies mandatory social isolation.

Domestically speaking, citizens allowed to circulate in public include those who are in charge of the provision of services and essential goods related to the acquisition, production, and supply of food items and pharmaceutical products; health centers; those who return to their place of residence; and people who take care of the elderly, children, dependent adolescents, and disabled persons.

Also exempted from the mandatory social isolation include financial entities; insurance and pension systems, as well as complementary and related services that guarantee their proper functioning; production, storage, transportation, distribution, and sale of fuel; the media; and call centers.

As at Monday morning, there were 86 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Peru. Other 2,229 samples had tested negative.