The Uruguayan dilemma facing the reopening: responsible freedom or the right of admission?

Responsible freedom or right of admission? Uruguay is at a crossroads after the government authorized an increase in the capacity of enclosures that require a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a secret health pass that would go against the motto of Luis Lacalle Pou in this crisis.

Far behind was the authorities’ constant call to trust the Uruguayans, when they avoided putting in place severe containment measures, despite the high number of dead and infected, because every citizen knew what to do to take care of themselves. and was free to make the most appropriate decision, including vaccinated or not.

Now, the massive arrival of vaccines, the decrease in cases and the high percentage of people (65%) with the complete vaccination schedule have led the authorities to relax activities and start a slow path towards the “old normalcy”.

However, the requirement that private managers (gym owners, concert organizers, etc.) to filter admission in order to achieve greater capacity puts them in an awkward position.

“We reject this measure because we cannot be compelled to take a measure in which we have no legal basis; there is no legal framework that supports this measure, ”said the president of the Uruguayan Chamber of Gyms and Allies (Cuga), Lourdes Rapalin.

More specifically, the National Sports Secretariat (SND) announced a few days ago that It is authorized to increase to 65% the capacity of gymnasiums, enclosures and swimming pools of all centers that allow entry only to people with two doses of the vaccine against COVID-19 and 14 days after the second.

“The vaccination certificate is part of the clinical history of each person and, in freedom, Each person can choose whether or not to give you the certificate as it is based on data privacy law. They are absolutely not obliged to present anything and less something personal and not obligatory», Explained Rapalin.

Likewise, the president of Cuga considers that, since it is a declaration of the SND and not a decree, the companies have no support. “You attack the integrity of the person. You get involved in something personal, like your health, and that can be considered as discrimination,” he emphasizes.

However, constitutional lawyer Martín Risso told VTV Noticias that it is “absurd” to believe that someone can report discrimination to a sports center for only asking for admission to those who are vaccinated.

“When we distinguish between vaccinated and unvaccinated, it is not hate speech. To invoke this risk is false, because it does not exist. If someone presents that, it will not prosper,” a- he stressed.

THE PUBLIC IN FOOTBALL

Since August 20, soccer in the amateur leagues of the interior of the country has returned to the arena with the public.

After more than a year without activity, because without ticket sales, it cannot survive, the Interior Football Organization (OFI) has announced that People will return to the fields, although only those who have been vaccinated will enter the fields.

“OFI has decided that the public can access the games by purchasing a ticket in advance and by justifying with the CoronavirusUy application or a medical certificate that they have two doses of vaccine and more than 15 days, ”said his secretary, Jorge Ortiz.

The manager specifies that the organization has decided to opt for this route to have higher economic income.

Pitches without grandstands will allow a capacity of 300 people, those with a sort of grandstand will be able to accommodate 500 and municipal (provincial) stadiums will be able to accommodate 700 people.

CULTURE ASKS NOT TO FORGET

Culture has returned to the stage for a few weeks. Plays, musical performances and other public and private activities have sprung up in the country after several months of forced closure.

However, culture still comes up against the possibility of accessing greater openings that exist in other sectors and, therefore, as the Uruguay Es Música (UEM) group argues in a statement, it calls for “attention. particular ”.

“It is urgent to consider (with reference to the Law of Urgent Consideration, flagship project of the Executive in force since 2020) to pass 50% of power”The letter says it also calls for “fair treatment” in relation to other economic activities.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC) announced the increase in capacity from 30% currently to 45%, which increases to 66% in spaces that require full vaccination.

Thus, culture will have to face, like sports clubs, the dilemma between establishing a right of admission or advocating responsible freedom.

(with information from the EFE)

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