[News] Government plans to reopen economic activities to 100% by the end of the year

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For the months of November and next December, the Peruvian government plans to reopen 100% of economic and entertainment activities, considering the fall in the numbers of COVID-19 infections and despite the fact that a second wave may arrive in the country, said the Prime Minister Walter Martos.

"We are practically 98% of the economy working, there is little margin, we hope it will be fully operational by the end of this year or in the first months of next," said the premier in a virtual press conference with the Foreign Press Association in Peru (APEP).

After having endured a 40.4% drop in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in April, the rate of decline was reduced to -9.82% last August, which is interpreted by the prime minister as one of the economic recoveries "more fast in Latin America ”.

"Our economy should be positive next year," he said.

Martos explained that in the last stage of the economic reopening of the country there will be "entertainment and entertainment activities, the vast majority of which are gradually being reactivated."

Among them he mentioned tourism, "one of the sectors hardest hit" by the health crisis, but which is being reactivated "in a more accelerated way, within the management of the pandemic."

The head of the cabinet indicated that after reactivating any activity they have waited two or three weeks to evaluate its effects, at the level of contagion, and then decide whether to restrict it again or "give rise to continue reactivating."

Seven months after the contagion of COVID-19 began in the country, the number of deaths has fallen to between 60 and 70 per day, but the Government thinks "that this amount should fall" more. Likewise, he insisted that as "contagion rates are managed" they will "restrict some activities or release some as rates fall."

Second wave less harsh

However, the prime minister added that "there will probably be a second wave" of the epidemic in the country, but the authorities think "that it will be somewhat different from what happened in Europe."

He mentioned as one of the factors the number of immune people in Peru, unlike Europe, which reached 5% before the second wave of infections that this continent faces today.

"This month we are doing a seroprevalence study, which allows us to see the level of immunity that the country has reached, with the results we have so far 35% of the population already has immunity," he said.

According to this study, Martos added that in Peru there are still “between 70% and 65% susceptible to being infected and, if there is neglect in personal protection, there is a possibility that there will be a second wave, but it will not be as drastic as in Europe".

To date, 876,885 cases have been accumulated in Peru, with 5,743 currently hospitalized and 33,937 deaths.

Despite the possibility of this second wave, the Peruvian Government has announced that it will give directives to allow the use of the beaches during the coming summer months, although with some restrictions, as well as the reopening of churches and recreation and tourism centers. with a reduced capacity.