Andina

Peru: Government extends state of emergency against COVID-19 thru June 30

13:58 | Lima, May. 22.

President Martin Vizcarra on Friday reported that the state of national emergency will be extended thru June 30 in Peru.

In a public statement, the Head of State informed that his administration has approved a supreme decree titled "Citizenship towards a new social coexistence," which contains details of the extended mandatory social isolation and immobilization (curfew).

During his speech, the top official read part of the supreme decree, which will be published in the next few hours, to clear doubts about the scope of the state of emergency extension.
 
"We declare a state of national emergency from Monday, May 25, to Tuesday, June 30, and order mandatory social isolation, meaning quarantine due to the serious circumstances that affect the life of the nation as a result of the covid-19," he expressed.

The statesman explained that the decree makes direct reference to the quarantine extension until June 30, but with "modification" and "flexibility" in some activities of the services sector and others linked to the Health, Economy, and Defense spheres.

"The quarantine remains in force because —as we have said— for us, what matters the most are the population's health and lives, and we are going to make the necessary efforts to take care of them," he said.

The leader added that additional efforts will be made so that this extended quarantine can be more bearable by all Peruvian households.

"(…) so that in this process —between now and June 30— we can also simultaneously start some productive economic activities that generate jobs for the population," he noted.

In this sense, Mr. Vizcarra mentioned that some activities belonging to certain sectors, such as the fishery and mining spheres have restarted and —as of June— some construction works —which are important for the development of the country— will resume.


Later, President Vizcarra asserted that his Government does not hide anything in relation to information on the number of covid-19 infections in the country.

He ratified that his administration has been transparent in this regard and indicated that the worst enemies of Peruvians —in the midst of this pandemic— are disinformation and corruption.

Initially set to last from March 16 to 30, the state of emergency had been first extended to April 12, then thru April 26, followed by May 10, Sunday May 24, and recently until June 30.


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

Friday marks the sixty-eighth day of mandatory social isolation.

(END) MVB

Published: 5/22/2020