Paraguay is easing its COVID-19 lockdown next month, replacing its presently strict sanctions with a "smart quarantine," after the South American nation turns to be among the most successful in stemming the pandemic's spread in the region.

Julio Mazzoleni, the country's health minister, said on Friday that action, paralyzed since early last month, would start again in phases. More so, with what the minister called "rotating shifts," though, hygiene and social distancing measures would stay in place.

Mazzoleni also said the county would be divided by places. Also, he said, they would have different stages in which various groups would be joining. He also added, though, that other components would still be tightly controlled.


The 'Smart' Quarantine

When the 'smart' quarantine takes in effect, the health minister explained, the boarders would stay closed, classes would still be conducted remotely, and non-essential businesses would continue favoring remote work.

In addition, mass public events and gatherings would still be suspended. No exact date for the switch has been specified by the minister, too. 

As for the strict quarantine which is currently being implemented, it has left thousands of people of Paraguay without income. It has also hit the nation's small economy hard.

Incidentally, the landlocked country announced on Thursday, it had released "$1 billion in sovereign bonds" to financially aid the health emergency which the widespread COVID-19 has caused.

Paraguay is known for having one of the most impressive records battling with COVID-19 in the region after it moved fast and aggressively to put the country on lockdown. As of this writing, the country has officially recorded 220 confirmed COVID-19 cases since the initial registration on March 7.

Nine people have already died, the majority of them, older adults or have health conditions. Seventy people, on the other hand, have been reported to have recovered.


Responding to COVID-19

Early this month, it was reported that the World Bank Board of Directors passed the $20-million loan in support of Paraguay's effort to strengthen its health system amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the background of the nation's present health condition, already impacted by the "worst dengue outbreak" in the previous years, the financial program will also help in strengthening the already overstrained health system by purchasing medical equipment and supplies.

According to Paraguay's Minister of Finance, Benigno Lopez, the support of the bank to the nations' economies is critical in these hard times that the whole country is facing. He added that Paraguay had already taken preventive measures to shield its people.

More so, the resources of the bank would contribute to providing more supplies and equipment to health centers and hospitals to treat people suffering from the illness. "We are in an emergency situation where," Lopez emphasized, adding, the support of everyone is essential.

Finally, the funding will be allotted to improve the lab equipment "to have detection tools, not to mention, attain better traceability and location of cases. More so, it will contribute to the strengthening of the clinical care capability in specialized hospitals to improve the availability of beds.


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