Uruguay rides out COVID risk without imposing a lockdown
03 July, 2020
Uruguay's president was recently photographed browsing in the first morning before a cabinet conference, symbolizing his government's relief a policy of "freedom with responsibility" found in containing the COVID-19 pandemic is succeeding.
Photos of 47-year-out of date Luis Lacalle Pou emerging from the South Atlantic in a wetsuit with a good table under his arm and a good smile on his lips reach the newsstands on Tuesday, as Europe reopened its borders to 15 countries.
The list included only 1 Latin American country: Uruguay.
With less than 1,000 registered novel coronavirus cases and simply just 27 deaths, the united states of 3.4 million is a notable exception in an area that has been the epicenter of the global health and wellbeing crisis.
Uruguay currently has merely 83 active cases, even while its giant neighbor Brazil may be the world's worst-hit nation following the United States.
This success is particularly remarkable as there never was an official lockdown.
Closures, but no lockdown
Instead, amid industry furloughs and school and border closures, officials urged people to stay indoors and strictly abide by social distancing.
The message was drilled real estate in the media and by police helicopters flying overhead.
The center-best suited president, who took office in early March as the pandemic was heating up, has said he opted for "individual freedom" instead of "a police regime."
The demands self-isolation were widely followed.
Infectious diseases expert Alvaro Galiana attributes Uruguay's success to early on tracing.
"The first appearance of popular cases, at the same time when the circulation of the virus within the populace was very limited, led to satisfactory measures being implemented -- regardless if at the time they seemed exaggerated -- right at the start of the school year," Galiana said, referring to the southern hemisphere's institution year.
Uruguay's demographics were also found in its favor, given a low population density and the lack of large urban centers outside of the capital Montevideo.
Gradual easing
Uruguay chose to ease back again to normal gradually, from April with the go back of 45,000 construction industry workers. Later, cafes and eating places reopened, accompanied by gyms in May.
Shopping centers reopened in mid-June and soccer, the countrywide passion, is because of resume on August 15, despite the fact that in empty stadiums.
The economic shock however has been considerable: 200,000 people are unemployed, a massive spike from the 10,000 in the beginning of the pandemic. Exports fell 16 percent in the first half of the entire year, and GDP is normally likely to fall by 3.0 percent this season.
The IMF is forecasting a 9.4 percent contraction for all of Latin America this year.
The government can be relaxing requirements in a bid to attract foreign investment.
This week, Uruguay became the first country in the region to allow schools, universites and colleges to reopen.
The government however is refusing to declare victory, fearing flare-ups or even a second wave. Meanwhile, after 90 days of voluntary confinement, Uruguayans happen to be easing back into a semblance of normality.
In February work started on the initial tests to screen for the virus, said Henry Cohen, a professional on the government's COVID-19 advisory plank. "Today we've more than the united states needs," he said.
Spanish carrier Iberia is definitely to resume immediate flights between Madrid and Montevideo in Sunday, though property borders with Brazil and Argentina remain closed.
Facundo Caballero, 29, has been waiting to become listed on his girlfriend in Europe since his trip to Paris was canceled in March.
"I've been waiting for you to definitely tell me 'go in advance' and I'll go for it. You never know if there is a second wave and I have to stay here longer," he said.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com
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