Uruguay closes schools and public offices amid increase in Covid-19 infections

Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou announced the the closure of public offices and the total suspension of face-to-face lessons, among other measures to “reduce mobility” to stop the sharp escalation of COVID-19 infections.

“We have taken measures to reduce mobility”, He said Lacalle Pou during a press conference, after a meeting of several hours with his cabinet last Tuesday.

The closure of all public offices and the suspension of public performances, free gymnasiums and shops at the border, as well as parties and social events, were part of the announced package. These activities will remain suspended until April 12.

He also reported on suspension of in-person attendance at all levels of education until Easter, after which it will gradually resume.

“We have a very powerful strain in terms of penetration and contagion capacity: it infects 2.5 times more than the other”said of the discovery of the Brazilian P.1 variant in the country, which was reported on Monday.

“There is a complex situation in the health system, especially by putting pressure on the CTI (intensive care centers), ”he added. Faced with this, the President of Uruguay explained that 129 intensive treatment beds will be added and more respirators will be purchased.

Uruguay: Brazilian strain in seven departments and alarm in intensive therapy

Regarding the economic plan, he said that The amount of social assistance that nearly half a million Uruguayans receive under various programs will be doubled for two monthss and the special tax on high salaries of public officials will be reinstated for two months.

“We are not in favor of full containment or mandatory quarantine “, he acknowledged, once again emphasizing the concept of freedom of responsible citizenship. “It’s a question of principle.”

In the past few hours, opposition scientific and academic communities and even government political partners have started demanding more restrictive measures to stop infections.

Uruguay: Lacalle Pou suspends the compulsory nature of face-to-face classes due to the coronavirus

Although vaccination is progressing at a good rate, 10% of the population already receiving the first dose of CoronaVac or Pfizer in 23 days, since February, the daily number of cases and deaths has continued to break records.

Monday they signed up 2,682 new cases and 19 deaths, the highest numbers since that the health emergency was declared in March 2020.

The country of 3.4 million people, which for most of the previous year was a model in Latin America due to its successful control, is currently recording 84,212 infections and 827 deaths due to covid-19.

JFG CP