The current state of quarantines, lockdowns in Latin America

Governments across Latin America have implemented quarantines and lockdowns as they battle the unprecedented health crisis that COVID-19 has generated. 

Having forced many businesses to close and severely restricting the circulation of people, the measures have already generated major damage to economic activity in the region, 

Even long-term projects are facing challenges due to travel restrictions imposed by governments.

"Several international investors contacted me in recent days, requesting we postpone our concessions and privatization agenda due to the difficulty of traveling to Brazil on airplane,” Brazil’s infrastructure minister Tarcisio Freitas told a webcast on Monday. 

“Many things can be solved remotely, but long-term projects require the presence of people on the ground to advance in an adequate way with due diligence processes."

According to George Dib, an economist for Latin America at Allianz Research, the baseline scenario points to a major regional recession in 2020 with GDP shrinking 3.8%, but a prolonged health crisis could lead to an even bigger contraction of 8%. 

BNamericas takes a look at the measures adopted in some of the region’s largest nations to fight COVID-19.

BRAZIL 

The state of São Paulo was the first in Brazil to implement quarantine on March 22 as it registered the highest number of deaths and people infected by coronavirus.

The measure saw the closure of malls, restaurants, and parks, as well as many other commercial establishments. 

On Monday, governor João Doria announced a gradual end to the quarantine, starting May 11. 

The state is home to the country's largest port facility (Santos port) and the busiest airport (in Guarulhos) and the easing of the quarantine will be made after evaluating the health situation in each city. 

"We will follow the recommendations of doctors, of the science, we will not follow economic or political guidance," said Doria at a televised press conference on Wednesday.

COLOMBIA 

In Colombia, the national quarantine was extended on Monday and will be in place at least until May 11, when the government will review the issue. 

The country’s lockdown is considered one of the toughest in Latin America as people have only been allowed out on certain days to buy food or medicine. 

In Medellin, the country’s second largest city, residents are only allowed to leave their homes once or twice per week. These rules will be relaxed slightly on April 27 to allow people to do exercise.

CHILE 

Authorities in Chile have lifted mandatory quarantines in some parts of the country - including the Las Condes municipality in capital Santiago, which is an important business district - but introduced or extended them in other municipalities.

A nighttime curfew remains in force nationwide and the wearing of masks in public places is now mandatory.

Some civil servants are expected to begin returning to work while a gradual reopening of schools is due to start next month. Some shopping centers have also started to reopen.

Authorities have urged citizens to continue taking all precautionary measures and restrictions could be tightened again if cases spike, especially over the country’s upcoming winter.

MEXICO 

Mexico City on Tuesday went into "phase 3" of the COVID-19 outbreak - which is the highest level, meaning a rapid increase in the number of cases. 

As such, mayor Claudia Sheinbaum announced severe limitations to mobility starting Thursday that include the shutdown of 20% of the Metro, Metro bus and Trolleybus stops, a halt to all vehicular traffic with exceptions (including cargo trucks, deliveries, authorized taxis and medical personnel). 

There is no official date for when the measures could be lifted, but a peak is expected the second week of May and there is growing expectation that most measures could be eased or lifted by the end of the same month. 

Similar actions will be in effect in the surrounding state of Mexico, and users of public transport will be required to use masks. 

ARGENTINA 

In Argentina, a decree that establishes a national lockdown is due to expire on Sunday. The measure has been in place since March, with few exceptions granted, and the decree could be renewed. 

Following requests from provincial governments, federal authorities are evaluating the possibility of allowing restaurants and small businesses to reopen from May 4, and an easing of restrictions in the construction, mining and forestry sectors, according to local media reports.

“The quarantine will continue, but there will be openings,” health minister Ginés González García said in an interview with media outlet El Destape.

The openings will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the health situation in each geographic area, said González.

Allan Brown, Michael Place and James Young contributed to this article.