Andina

Peru: President confirms suspension of classes at institutes-universities, bans spectacles

14:16 | Lima, Mar. 12.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Thursday confirmed that the suspension of classes and activities at schools —to be in force until March 30— will include higher technical institutes and universities —as a measure to fight coronavirus (COVID-19).

"We have decided that the postponement and suspension of activities include not only regular basic education (centers), but also higher technical education and university education (ones)," he told reporters at a press briefing.

Joined by the Council of State members, the Head of State announced that the corresponding document will be published in the next few hours.

Likewise, the top official praised some universities that took the initiative to suspend classes, but —in order to standardize the measure— the corresponding legal document must be enacted.


Furthermore, the statesman called on students and parents to avoid being in public places, where there is a massive turnout.

"This is not about eliminating the risk of contagion at schools and generating the risk of contagion in other activities," he added.

Spectacles are banned

Moreover, President Vizcarra reported that a ban has been ordered on public spectacles, which gather over 300 citizens —also as a preventive measure against the coronavirus (COVID-19).

"Speaking of mass gatherings, also this morning, we made the decision to adopt a rule to prohibit any type of spectacle of any kind that brings more than 300 people together," he announced.

This measure will be made official once it is published and will remain in place during the time of coronavirus emergency.
 
"We made this decision because —obviously in mass concentrations— this source of contagion is generated. Thus, the limit we are setting stands at 300 people," he concluded.


On the occasion, he was joined by Prime Minister Vicente Zeballos, Judicial Branch Chair Jose Luis Lecaros, Congress' Prepatory Board Head Monica Saavedra, Attorney General Zoraida Avalos, Constitutional Court Chairwoman Marianella Ledesma, and Ombudsman Walter Gutierrez.

(END) VVS/CVC/MVB

Published: 3/12/2020