Peru: Government extends state of emergency until August 31 /update 23

Event

On Friday, July 31, the Peruvian government announced that the state of emergency in effect to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) would be extended until August 31. The state of emergency was introduced on March 15 and had been due to expire on July 31. Restrictions previously implemented under the state of emergency will continue. These measures include a nationwide nighttime curfew between 22:00 and 04:00 (local time) and the compulsory wearing of face masks. In five regions and 20 provinces where the infection rate is high, extended lockdown measures are in place, including an extended curfew between 20:00 and 04:00 Monday-Saturday and a 24-hour curfew on Sundays. The regions affected by these measures are:

• Arequipa (entire region)
• Ica (entire region)
• Junin (entire region)
• Huanco (entire region)
• San Martin (entire region)
• Madre de Dios (Tambopata province only)
• Ancash (Santa, Casma, and Huaraz provinces only)
• Moquegua (Mariscal Nieto and Ilo provinces only)
• Tacna (Tacna province only)
• Puno (Puno and San Roman provinces only)
• Huancavelica (Huancavelica province only)
• Cajamarca (Cajamarca, Jaen, and San Ignacio provinces only)
• Amazonas (Bagua, Condorcanqui, and Utcubamba provinces only)
• Apurimac (Abancay and Andahuaylas provinces only)
• Cusco (Cusco and La Convencion provinces only)

The Peruvian government announced that domestic flights previously resumed from July 15, however, travel to and from the above-mentioned regions remains prohibited. Regularly scheduled commercial international flights remain suspended, and Peru's borders are closed for all but essential traffic.

As of July 31, there have been 400,683 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Peru, and 18,816 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

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). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

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

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) rec

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 COVID-19 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.