Paraguay Starts Reopening After Full Month with No Covid-19 Deaths

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – So far, Paraguay is one of the countries winning the battle against the novel coronavirus. With 1,289 recorded cases and only 11 deaths, the country has not reported any victims for over a month. Yesterday, Paraguayans entered Stage 3 of its “Intelligent Quarantine,” a gradual reopening of activities established by the government.

In this new stage, restaurants are allowed to open, subject to prior reservation and individual registration of each customer, with name, surname, address, ID number, and telephone.

In a note, the Ministry of Health said that the data collected “will be used exclusively by the agency for contact tracking in case a positive Covid-19 case is detected.”

Outdoor activities are also authorized, provided that in groups of up to two people. Sports in gyms and fitness centers are also allowed – except for activities involving physical contact – as long as people are registered, with first name, surname, address, ID number, and telephone number. Outdoor sports and recreational activities for children and teenagers must be supervised by an adult, avoiding physical contact with other children who are not from the same family environment.

Some cultural activities, such as drive-in movies, are also allowed as of yesterday, June 15th, provided that they respect physical distancing. Religious events and cults are also allowed as long as 15 square meters per person and a maximum of 20 people are ensured. These activities must also be scheduled in advance and participants must be registered, as in the case of restaurants and physical activities in closed spaces.

Classes are suspended for all educational levels. Laboratory activities at universities are also authorized, as well as the completion of final exams and dissertations for the completion of school terms.

Between Sunday and Thursday, traffic is allowed between 5 AM and 11 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, the population is allowed to travel between 5 AM and midnight.

Despite the new relaxation of quarantine, the Paraguayan government continues to urge the population to adopt health measures, such as the use of masks, constant hand washing, and a 2-meter physical distance.

Among the 1,289 cases recorded in Paraguay, 410 were of women (32 percent) and 879 of men (68 percent). The country counts 650 cured patients and 628 with symptoms of the disease. There are nine people hospitalized, two of whom in intensive care units (ICUs).

The country has a population of 6.9 million inhabitants and has so far run over 48,000 tests. The first confirmed case of Covid-19 infection occurred on March 7th. The last death recorded in the country occurred a month ago.

Paraguay, which is landlocked and borders Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, has yet to announce plans to reopen its borders.

Source: Agência Brasil

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