Andina

Peru: Interior Minister urges population to respect Sundays curfew, gatherings are banned

Interior Minister Jorge Montoya urged the population to respect the measures aimed at avoiding an increase in COVID-19 cases in Peru.

12:46 | Lima, Aug. 14.

Interior Minister Jorge Montoya on Friday urged the population to comply with the measures established by the Executive Branch —such as mandatory social immobilization (curfew) on Sundays— in order to avoid an increase in COVID-19 cases in Peru.



The high-ranking official also suggested that "if there is no need to leave the house, then it must not be done. Instead, let's stay with our families," but "if we do it for emergency or for work purposes, let's take the necessary precautions."


"We urge the population to comply with the rules; social gatherings are prohibited not only on Sundays but on a daily basis, small soccer matches are prohibited, not only on Sundays but on a daily basis (…)," he said.

Montoya added that the Constitution includes an article regarding the inviolability of homes, and that has been restricted on Sundays. Therefore, the police can enter any property whose residents do not obey the rules.

Measures

The Peruvian Government has approved Supreme Decree N°139-2020-PCM, which declares quarantine entirely focused on 6 regions of the country: Arequipa, Ica, Huanuco, Junin, Madre de Dios and San Martin, as well as on 36 provinces due to an increase in the level of COVID-19 contagion.

In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday afternoon, President Martin Vizcarra indicated that said measure was taken based on the information provided by Health Ministry scientists and medical personnel in charge of monitoring the development of the pandemic nationwide.

Curfew

During the national state of emergency, mandatory social immobilization (curfew) is provided from 10:00 p.m. to 04:00 a.m. the next day, Mondays thru Saturdays.

However, in the regions of Arequipa, Ica, Junin, Huanuco, San Martin and Madre de Dios curfew is in force from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the next day.


It must be noted that —during the mandatory social immobilization— strictly necessary personnel, who participate in the provision of food supply, health, financial and restaurant services for home delivery, will be exempted from the measure.

(END) JCC/CVC/MVB

Published: 8/14/2020