Paraguay’s Capital Starts ‘Social Quarantine’ Due to Covid-19 Advance
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The capital of Paraguay, Asunción, and its metropolitan area of approximately two million inhabitants, have been under “social quarantine” since Sunday, August 23rd, as the government seeks to flatten the Covid-19 contagion curve.
The measure will extend until September 6th and establishes the free flow of people between 5 AM and 8 PM (local and Brasília time). Beyond this time frame, the police will only allow the free circulation of formal workers, except in emergency cases.
“The wearing of masks is mandatory in closed spaces,” says the decree signed by President Mario Abdo Benítez.
Among other provisions, the decree limits physical activity in open areas for individual exercise. “Children will be able to go out only for that purpose and accompanied by an adult while avoiding interaction with minors outside their immediate family circle,” the government said.
Cultural activities can be held without the presence of an audience and religious services with no more than 20 people for every 15 square meters.
The decree establishes that beverages may be sold until 8 PM, with the exception of restaurants.
The increase in cases and deaths from the coronavirus has increased to alarming numbers since the start of August. Paraguay has reported 13,000 cases and 192 deaths from the pandemic since the first case was recorded on March 7th.
Source: AFP
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