- Title: Latin American leaders differ on restrictions, travel bans
- Date: 12th March 2020
- Summary: LIMA, PERU (MARCH 12, 2020) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** PERUVIAN PRESIDENT, MARTIN VIZCARRA, AT START OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN PRESIDENT, MARTIN VIZCARRA, SAYING: "With reference to the suspension of educational activities until March 30, we have decided that this postponement and suspension of activities will also cover not only basic lower-level education, but also superior technical schools and universities." JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN PRESIDENT, MARTIN VIZCARRA, SAYING: "Speaking of massive gatherings, this morning we made the decision to issue a decree that prohibits any type of event of any kind that gathers more than 300 people." JOURNALISTS AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN PRESIDENT, MARTIN VIZCARRA, SAYING: "We're also coordinating to have a video conference in the coming days with the presidents of the countries of the region to exchange opinions and also standardize decisions with respect to confronting this emergency by close, neighboring countries." VIZCARRA LEAVING THE NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 26th March 2020 20:36
- Keywords: Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Martin Vizcarra Mexico Nicolas Maduro Peru Venezuela coronavirus outbreak restrictions spread
- Location: CARACAS, VENEZUELA / MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / LIMA, PERU
- City: CARACAS, VENEZUELA / MEXICO CITY, MEXICO / LIMA, PERU
- Country: Venezuela
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003C4R0HMV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Latin American leaders forged their own paths in the fight against the coronavirus with leaders issuing differing views on restrictions of large gatherings and travel bans Thursday (March 12), but regional coordination appears to be in the works for the coming days.
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro said that all flights from Europe and Colombia would be suspended for a month over Coronavirus concerns during a live televised press conference on Thursday.
Venezuela has not yet confirmed any cases of the virus.
Maduro said Venezuela had 30 suspected cases, but that the country had ruled them out after tests. He added that his government was making efforts to coordinate with Colombia, which has confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, Mexico's government said on Thursday it was not planning to restrict international travel to the country or close its borders due to the coronavirus outbreak in spite of major curbs announced a day earlier by the United States.
Standing alongside President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said there was no scientific evidence that restricting access to ports of entry would play significant role in protecting public health.
Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra told a news conference in Lima Thursday that events of more than 300 people would be banned for as long as the health emergency lasts.
Vizcarra also noted that regional leaders were planning a video conference in the coming days to "exchange opinions and also standardize decisions with respect to confronting this emergency."
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