Coronavirus: Faced with an increase in cases, Venezuela tightens restrictions

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Venezuela will “radicalize” traffic restrictions from Monday, June 22. This is the word used by the authorities to react to the recent increase in cases of coronavirus in the country. Several states are concerned, as well as the capital Caracas, where the metro and rail transport will be closed.

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It is a kind of backlash for the Venezuelan authorities. Since June 1, the restrictions put in place to fight the Covid-19 were about to be lifted, via a rotation system with a week of “  flexibilisation  ” followed by a week of total containment.

But since June 1, the spread of the virus has accelerated considerably. The number of people infected with the coronavirus has increased sharply, from just over 1,600 people infected with 17 deaths to almost 4,000 diagnosed cases, 33 of which have died. Figures that are also disputed by the opposition and organizations such as Human Rights Watch that the virus is much more present in Venezuela than the government dares to admit.

►Read also: The response, country by country - Latin America and the coronavirus

The fact remains that from Monday, June 22, the authorities intend to tighten the screw. Traffic on the main highways will be limited in ten states and "  special restraint barriers  " will be set up in several places, in particular in Caracas and in border areas. Only workers in essential sectors will be able to move, and the Venezuelans, who have largely taken to the streets in recent weeks, will again have to be confined to their homes.

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• Venezuela
• Nicolas Maduro
• Coronavirus

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