Like the rest of the world, governments across Latin American regions have enforced lockdowns and quarantines as they combat this unparalleled health crisis. 

Even the long-term ventures are experiencing challenges because of the travel restrictions the governments have imposed. 

Infrastructure Minister of Brazil, Tarcisio Freitas, said on Monday that certain international investors contacted him recently to request postponement of their concessions and privatization agenda because of the difficulty in traveling to the country through aircraft.

The minister also said a lot of things could be solved remotely. However, he continued, long-term projects would need the people's presence on the ground to progress in a suitable manner "with due diligence processes."


What does the expert say?

Latin American economist George Dib from the Allianz Research said the standard baseline scenario is pointing to a significant recession of a region this year with GDP reducing 3.8 percent. However, he explained that a continued health crisis could result in an even higher eight-percent contraction.

Here are the measures employed in some of Latin America's largest nations as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic.


Mexico

On Tuesday, Mexico City had gone into phase 3 of the outbreak, the highest level, which means a rapid growth in the number confirmed COVID-19 cases. With this, the city's mayor, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced strict restrictions on mobility, which started to take in effect on Tuesday.

Included in the restrictions was the closure of 20 percent of the Metro, Trolleybus, and Metro bus stops, seemingly a cessation to all vehicular traffic with some exceptions such as deliveries, cargo trucks, medical personnel, and authorized taxis. 

No official date has been set yet, for when such procedures would be lifted. However, the report has it that the peak is expected the second week of May, and growing expectation has occurred that most measures would be lifted or east by the end of May.


Brazil

Specifically, the state of São Paulo is the first in Brazil to impose quarantine in Brazil on March 22 after it recorded the highest number of fatalities and confirmed cases.

Mainly the procedure saw the temporary shutdown of restaurants, parks, and malls, as well as many other commercial businesses.

Meanwhile, Governor João Doria announced on Monday, a slow end to this quarantine, which will start on May 11. The state is home to the nation's biggest port facility, not to mention, home to the busiest airport as well, and the quarantine's end is taking place following the evaluation of each city's health situation.


Chile

The authorities here have already lifted the mandatory quarantines previously imposed on some areas of the country, which included the Las Condes municipality located in capital Santiago. However, in some other municipalities, quarantines were either introduced or extended.

Moreover, the nighttime curfew has remained implemented across the nations, and the wearing of face masks in public places has become mandatory.

Additionally, several civil servants are expected to start going back to work while the schools' gradual reopening is scheduled to begin next month. In addition, several shopping centers have also started to restart operations.

According to the authorities, people should continue to take all the precautionary measures. More so, they said, there is a possibility for the restrictions to be tightened again should there be cases spike, especially that winter is coming.


Colombia

In this Latin American nation, the nationwide quarantine was extended, and it was announced on Monday. The said extension would be until May 11. In addition, Colombia's lockdown is regarded as one of Latin America's toughest as people here are only allowed on specific days to shop for their food or medicine.

In Medellin, the second-largest city of the country, residents are permitted to leave home only once or twice each week. The rules, according to the report, will be relaxed a bit in the latter part of April as people will be allowed to do their exercise.


Argentina

In this country, a decree establishing a nationwide lockdown is about to expire on Sunday. This said, the measure has been in place since last month, with only a few exemptions approved, and the ruling could be renewed.

Following the provincial governments' requests, the federal authorities are currently evaluating the probability of permitting small businesses and restaurants to reopen starting May 4, 

Following requests from provincial governments, federal authorities are evaluating the possibility of allowing restaurants and small businesses to reopen from May 4, and more simplified limitations in the mining, forestry, and construction sectors, local media reports said.


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