Coronavirus Latin America Update: Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Uruguay Implement Lockdown

The spike in the number of coronavirus cases are at an all-time high in various countries across the globe, with major lockdowns of borders, school, and offices are being observed.

While Latin America is ranking pretty low in the number of positive coronavirus cases, many countries have now decided to fall into step with the other nations by employing lockdowns and series of other measures like partial closure of borders, quarantine measures, as well as canceling large public events.

The step has been taken as even though the percentage of cases in Latin America remains relatively low compared to other neighboring countries, the number is only rising. As of now, Brazil has 121 confirmed cases, Argentina 34, Chile has 61, Peru 38, Mexico 23, while Uruguay and Venezuela have registered less than 10 cases.

In Chile, while President Sebastian Pinera declared that schools will only be closed down if and when any case of coronavirus crops up amongst the students, he did assure that the health care system will be amped up with more funds to buy equipment. Uruguay’s President Luis Lacalle Pou also observed a similar stance with the closure of schools but announced that the nation is now observing a health emergency and declared the partial closure of the country’s borders.

Following Uruguay’s example, Ecuador announced the complete shutdown of all ports of entry in the nation- whether via air, sea or bus- effective from March 16.

While many countries have applied measures, like Colombia, Chile, and Uruguay, it is Venezuela that has put in place some strict laws, especially because of its unstable economic status being unable to provide a proper health care system.

As per its safety measures where many flights have already been suspended, President Nicolas Maduro took to national television on March 13, 2020, to announce that all schools and universities will be observing a temporary closure, followed by workplaces in the next few days. Even the opposition has canceled its scheduled street protests in accordance with the safety measures.

But what the Venezuelan government is not okay with is Colombia’s President Ivan Duque’s decision to close the nation’s border with Venezuela. This puts countless Venezuelans in a fix, whose daily routine includes crossing the border in search of food or medicines, or sometimes to leave their country.

In Brazil, in the states of Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and Rio, classes have been suspended as well as cancellation of large events and prison visits have been banned.