Peru: Authorities extend state of emergency to April 26 due to COVID-19 /update 9

Event

On Wednesday, April 8, the Peruvian government announced that the national State of Emergency (SoE) will be extended for a further two weeks until Sunday, April 26, due to coronavirus (COVID-19). During the SoE, people are banned from visiting public places such as parks, beaches, gyms, and bars. The extension comes ahead of a 24-hour curfew which will be in effect between Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10, during which time individuals will be completely prohibited from going outside.

Since Tuesday, March 31, a nationwide curfew between 18:00 and 05:00 (local time) has been in effect, with curfew hours starting earlier in some towns. The government has also announced that all individuals should wear face masks when going outside.

As of April 3, gender-based movement restrictions are in place to control the spread of COVID-19. As such, men are only allowed to leave their homes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while women can do so on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. All movement is prohibited on Sundays.

At least 4342 cases of COVID-19 and 121 associated fatalities have been confirmed in the country as of April 8.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.