Chile already applies mobility pass for two-dose vaccinees, but there are criticisms from medical entities

SANTIAGO.- This Wednesday The “mobility pass” has started to come into effect in Chile, which gives greater freedom of movement to people who have received two doses of the vaccine. against the coronavirus, a measure criticized by a dozen local medical entities.

The permit announced by the government on Sunday can be obtained by people who have already completed a period of 14 days after being inoculated with both doses coronavirus vaccines.

Those who meet this requirement They will be able to move freely in cities with or without quarantine to carry out activities such as going to the supermarket, pharmacy or doing physical exercises in the open air.. They will also be able to travel to cities that are not blocked.

The implementation of this authorization occurs when Chile has already vaccinated more than 7.7 million people with two doses, or more than 50% of the population over 18 years old that the government intends to vaccinate before June 30.

The Medical College and nine Chilean medical societies criticized the implementation of the permit, faced with a pandemic which has health services at the limit, and at a time when infections are not decreasing and when a greater relaxation of the population is perceived in the face of the need to go to work.

“Any increase in mobility will increase infections. This new permit may be confusing and feeling of security which is not such“Said a statement released by medical entities.

The Minister of Health, Enrique Paris, defended the measure and assured that it is “a reward” for those who have been vaccinated. “They will be able to use the mobility card and they can go out, they can visit parents and grandchildren, ”he said.

The authorities have indicated that mobility permit is not valid for driving during daily curfew which governs from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., neither allows the holding of mass events, nor does it replace the authorization that people need to get to work. These people will also not be allowed to stop using the mask.

People who do not have both doses and are in quarantine, will have to continue to obtain a permit on a police website, whenever, for example, they want to go to the supermarket or the pharmacy.

Covid-19 has caused more than 1.3 million infections in Chile and at least 28,600 deaths in 14 months of the pandemic.

Agencia AFP

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