Chile: Authorities lift COVID-19 lockdown measures in Santiago from September 28 /update 34

Event

Authorities announced on Monday, September 28, that strict coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown measures have been lifted across metropolitan Santiago. The lifting of the lockdown is part of a move to phase three of a five-step deconfinement plan which allows for freedom of movement on regional transportation as well as the reopening of restaurants and bars. Schools and universities will remain closed with classes continuing to be held virtually. Additionally, Chile's borders remain closed to tourists and non-residents.   

At the local level, the Chilean government is following a five-phase reopening plan, with different levels of restrictions in place depending on the phase a region or community is currently in. The plan enables authorities to tighten or ease local restrictions based on the number of COVID-19 cases. A list of communes and their current level of restrictions can be found here.

Previously, Chilean authorities announced that the country's COVID-19 state of catastrophe has been extended by 90 days until December 31. National restrictions, including a nightly 23:00 to 05:00 (local time) curfew, a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people, and the mandatory use of face masks in public remain in effect.

As of September 29, there have been 459,671 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chile with 12,698 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is to be 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 the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

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.