- Title: Argentina to ease Buenos Aires lockdown after nearly four months
- Date: 17th July 2020
- Summary: COMMUTERS GETTING OFF TRAIN GENERAL VIEW OF METRO STATION VARIOUS OF POLICE ON DUTY AT METRO STATION TO CHECK TRANSIT PAPERS FOR COMMUTERS ARGENTINE FLAG WAVING
- Embargoed: 31st July 2020 23:18
- Keywords: Argentina Buenos Aires COVID-19 President Alberto Fernandez coronavirus ease lockdown pandemic quarantine restrictions
- Location: BUENOS AIRES + OLIVOS, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE + EZEIZA, ARGENTINA
- City: BUENOS AIRES + OLIVOS, BUENOS AIRES PROVINCE + EZEIZA, ARGENTINA
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA003CN74YTJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Argentina will gradually loosen a lockdown that has lasted nearly four months in and around Buenos Aires, President Alberto Fernandez said on Friday (July 17), after tougher restrictions since the start of July helped slow the spread of new COVID-19 infections.
Fernandez said the gradual return to normal life will happen in several stages, with the first stage lasting until Aug. 2.
In capital Buenos Aires, which has been under the tightest restrictions in the country since March 20, shops, hair salons and some professional services will re-open.
Outdoor recreation activities will also be permitted. Schools will remain closed while officials analyse options for re-opening, said Buenos Aires mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta, who joined Fernandez for the announcement from the presidential palace.
The government had come under pressure to begin reopening after facing criticism from opposition lawmakers and growing protests in the streets of Buenos Aires against the lengthy lockdown.
Argentina has confirmed 119,301 cases, with 2,178 deaths, according to the latest official data, numbers that are relatively low compared to many of Argentina's South American neighbours.
On Friday, the South American country reported a record number of infections over 24 hours.
(Production: Horacio Soria, Miguel Lo Bianco, Juan Bustamante, Claudia Martini, Paul Vieira) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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