The increase in the wave of infections in some countries and the feeling that in some areas of the continent the pandemic is beginning to be controlled reveal different realities in the midst of restriction and flexibility measures, which seek a gradual return to the normal.
New York, for example, is preparing to lift this month most of the restrictions applied to bars, restaurants, theaters and museums, which have had to operate with limited capacity in a city that last year was one of the main focuses of the pandemic in the world.
The governor of the state of New York, Andrew Cuomo, announced this Monday that the restrictions will be lifted throughout the month and that the intention is for the reopening to be total no later than July 1.
Cuomo said that starting May 19, capacity restrictions for hospitality, retail stores, gyms and hair salons will end, although establishments will have to ensure that there is enough space for customers to maintain a separation of about two meters.
–
COVID-19 is on the decline in New York
The measures also provide for the operation of the metro 24 hours a day, starting on May 17, and the authorization to increase the number of people who can participate in outdoor meetings from 200 to 500 and from 100 to 250 in places closed. The new rules will be coordinated with the neighboring states of New Jersey and Connecticut.
–
“COVID-19 is on the decline in New York City and across the state, and as we shift our focus to rebuilding our economy, helping businesses, and getting people back to work, it’s time to return to full capacity on the subway, ”Cuomo said.
His Florida colleague, Ron DeSantis, on Monday revoked all emergency orders issued by local authorities to combat the pandemic and announced that he signed a decree that will prevent the appearance of new regulations that could lead to the closure of businesses and restrictions on the mobilization of people.
DeSantis said that the decree will take effect on July 1 and that it was signed because it is not justified that extraordinary measures are extended when there is “a wide availability of vaccines” in his state against COVID-19.
The open air that is breathed in Miami was evident today in a park in Little Havana where before the pandemic it was common for many people to gather to play dominoes. The characteristic sound of the chips on the tables was heard again after that site was closed for more than a year due to the pandemic.
“This is relaxing, a lot of older people come here because we get so bored at home. Here I amuse myself watching, tourists come and it’s cool, “Cuban Pablo Hernández, one of those who attended the reopening of the park, told Efe.
–
Chile improves but Argentina and Costa Rica decline
Chile, for its part, is beginning to show symptoms of emerging from the second wave of infections, which hit the country fiercely in recent weeks, with a reduction in cases that will allow a good part of the country to come out of confinement the next Thursday.
In the South American country, 4,874 new cases and 98 deaths were registered this Monday, while the national positivity rate (number of infections per 100 PCR tests) fell to 7.5%, one of the lowest in recent months.
A positivity rate of less than 5% for two consecutive weeks is one of the epidemiological criteria established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to consider the pandemic controlled.
On the contrary, Argentina is entering a new stage of measures to stop the second wave of COVID-19 and avoid health chaos, which include greater restrictions especially in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, the most affected by the virus.
The Argentine president, Alberto Fernández, decreed to maintain until May 21 the measures in force since last April 16, the severity of which depends on the epidemiological status of each sector.
Costa Rica began today a week of closure of non-essential activities in the center of the country, as a measure to slow down the third wave of infections, which has saturated hospitals.
The measure, which will run until next Sunday, affects commercial establishments in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Cartago and Heredia, which make up the Greater Metropolitan Area. The infections in that region represent 68% of the cases reported the previous week (6,285 out of a total of 9,120).
For its part, the Peruvian government announced that commercial flights with the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil will be suspended until at least May 15.
In neighboring Ecuador, a ban on oxygen exports was announced to ensure domestic demand, while the Government of Paraguay said that it is investigating the possible irregular vaccination of some 500 people at a time when in that country only the health personnel and the elderly.
In the midst of the controversy over vaccinations, Paraguayan senator Mirta Gusinky, of the ruling Colorado Party, presented her “unwavering resignation” after criticism for having been vaccinated before it was her age group.
America is the continent hardest hit by the pandemic with 1.5 million deaths and 62.4 million infections, according to the WHO, while Europe registers a little more than a million deaths and 52 million cases.
According to Johns Hopkins University, 3.2 million people have died in the world and 153 million have been infected by COVID-19. EFE
– – .
:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/70ae4874-abd1-11eb-a77f-0217670beecd.JPG "Dangerous smoke from ‘controlled forest fire’ near Sydney | Abroad")