Argentina tightens COVID-19 restrictions for nine days

Face-to-face social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities will be suspended, while only essential services are permitted.

• Argentina announces strict lockdown in all “high risk” areas
• The number of those who received their first dose of vaccine stands at 8,495,677 while 2,200,123 have received both doses
• Argentina has registered an excess of 3.4 million infections, 72,699 deaths and more than 3 million recoveries

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Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez addressed the nation to announce a strict lockdown in all “high risk” areas in a message shortly after 8.30 p.m. (2330GMT).

“We are living the worst moment since the pandemic began. We have the highest number of cases and deaths,” the president said.

Following a record number of infections and deaths in Argentina in recent weeks, he emphasized that the country «must take care of health» during the second wave, adding that COVID-19 restrictions will be tightened for nine days.

The new measures will take effect at midnight Saturday and last until May 30, restricting the circulation and movement of people in areas of “high risk.”

Face-to-face social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities will be suspended, while only essential services are permitted.

“This collective effort will help us to get through these cold months. I am aware that these restrictions create difficulties. Faced with this reality, there is no choice but to choose the preservation of life,” the president said.

Fernandez pledged to step up vaccination efforts in which 10,695,800 doses have been administered, according to government data.

The number of those who received their first dose of vaccine stands at 8,495,677 while 2,200,123 have received both doses.

Total occupancy of ICU beds is at 72.6% and in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area it is 76.4%.

According to the country’s Health Ministry data, Argentina, that has a population of more than 45 million, has registered an excess of 3.4 million infections, 72,699 deaths and more than 3 million recoveries.