Andina

Peru: Govt decrees curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m. to tackle coronavirus

12:24 | Lima, Mar. 18

The Peruvian Government will issue an urgency decree to declare curfew from 8:00 p.m. thru 5:00 a.m. during the mandatory social isolation period currently underway, President Martin Vizcarra announced on Wednesday afternoon.

"This obliges us to take (further) measures; the one we are decreeing —starting today— is a curfew from 8:00 at night until 5:00 in the morning. It is a Supreme Decree that establishes this measure. Starting tonight, nobody can circulate until tomorrow," he told reporters.

The top official explained that —based on the profile of the recently-infected citizens— there are many young people who contracted COVID-19 at nighttime, when they went out on the streets instead of respecting the state of emergency.

"Most (people) are at home, but others are not (…) the Armed Forces and the National Police of Peru will be in charge of the strict compliance with this measure, which will be valid not only in Lima, but also at the national level," he said.

The President added that the stores, which usually serve until after 8:00 p.m., must adjust their schedules to abide by the order.

Likewise, he specified that —starting Thursday— private vehicles will not be allowed to circulate, because the increase in transport units breaks the nature of the measure and the objective of the current state of emergency.

 


Lastly, he reiterated a request to local and regional authorities throughout Peru to support the measures implemented by the Executive Branch with the intention of stopping the contagion nationwide.


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

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Published: 3/18/2020