Government extends lockdown by two weeks to contain virus
Metro areas with fewer people may return to normal activities if they meet five requirements, such as restricting movement to just half of each city’s population at any given time.
Argentina is extending its nationwide lockdown by another two weeks until May 10 to contain the coronavirus outbreak ,while it seeks to ease some restrictions in smaller cities.
President Alberto Fernández said Saturday the lockdown -- one of Latin America’s strictest -- would continue for the capital Buenos Aires and other urban areas with a population of 500,000 or more.
Cities such as Córdoba and Rosario will also be affected.
Metro areas with fewer people may return to normal activities if they meet five requirements, such as restricting movement to just half of each city’s population at any given time.
The government is easing one measure across the country – allowing limited recreational activities within 500 metres (0.3 mile) of each Argentine’s home.
Fernández said the spread in Argentina has slowed as the nation crossed the one-month mark since the quarantine began March 20. The number of cases in Argentina is doubling every 17 days, he said, slower than the 10-day pace two weeks ago.
He also acknowledged the economic pain Argentines are enduring and said the government is working on a post-pandemic recovery plan, without providing specifics.
The economy will shrink 5.7 percent this year, according to the IMF, among the deepest slumps in Latin America, and coming after two years of recession.
– Bloomberg
related news
-
Fernández de Kirchner accuses Milei of subjecting Argentines to ‘pointless sacrifice’
-
Book fair serves as beacon of hope resilience amid economic crisis
-
Five dogs and a million reds
-
Missing the point
-
Jorge Lanata: ‘President Milei has the right to speak and criticise, but not to say just anything’
-
The first ‘real world’ punch for Javier Milei
-
Stories that caught our eye: April 19 to 26
-
Top officials to meet People's Bank of China chief amid swap talks
-
Argentina to offer bonds in first step to lift currency controls
-
Omnibus bill heads to Congress, debate set for Monday or Tuesday