‘Total’ lockdown for Chile capital after virus spike

by Paulina Abramovich

Chile ordered a mandatory total quarantine for the capital Santiago’s seven million people Wednesday after authorities reported a 60 percent spike in coronavirus infections in 24 hours, dealing a stunning blow to hopes the economy would soon reopen.

“The most severe measure I must announce is a total quarantine in Greater Santiago,” the location of 80 percent of the country’s 34,000-plus confirmed cases, Health Minister Jaime Manalich said.

Manalich said the lockdown — including in several areas where earlier confinement measures had been lifted — was necessary after 2,260 new infections and 12 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The announcement follows a government request to the IMF for a flexible line of credit amounting to around $23.8 billion for the next two years.

The credit line would help kickstart the economy after months of mass protests against the government of President Sebastian Pinera, a bodyblow to state revenues exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. (AFP)