Puerto Rico bans citizens from the streets between 9pm and 5am, closes businesses and imposes 6pm curfews on supermarkets after recording its fifth coronavirus case
- Shops, theaters, parks, malls, gyms, courts will close to stop coronavirus spread
- Closures started at 6pm on Sunday and are due to continue for two week
- Territorial governor Wanda Vázquez ordered closures after fifth case confirmed
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Puerto Rico’s governor has ordered a curfew and the closure of all businesses and nonessential government offices, except for gas stations and those dealing in food, health or finance.
The closures ordered by territorial governor Wanda Vázquez started at 6 pm on Sunday and are set to last for two weeks in the effort to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Shops, theaters, parks, malls, gyms, courts and other activities have been ordered to close following yesterday’s confirmation of the fifth case of coronavirus in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico’s governor on Sunday ordered a curfew and closure of businesses and nonessential government offices, except for gas stations and food, health or finance services
Takeout restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and banks can remain open. But they’ll have to close each day at 6pm.
Even citizens will be barred from the streets between 9pm and 5am , save for those working in security, health or food distribution.
Elizabeth Solá Oliver, owner of a yoga and pilates studio in San Juan, began looking at ways to continue operating over the next two weeks. But she predicts it will be difficult because her clients must follow the isolation order.
The closures ordered by territorial governor Wanda Vázquez started at 6 p.m. and last for two weeks. An empty street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 15 March
Even citizens will be barred from the streets between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., save for those working in security, health or food distribution
The governor’s order sets a six-month jail term or a fine of up to $5,000 for violators of the curfew
A woman cleans a table up at an empty restaurant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 15 March
Ms Solá Oliver said: ‘We are evaluating the possibility of streaming, putting classes online and yes, we are available to give private yoga and pilates classes.
‘But the studio has 10 teachers. The majority are dedicated to this full time and if all the studios close and the gyms too, it is going to be a very difficult situation.’
Jorge Argüelles, president of the United Retail Central, an organization that brings together about 5,000 small and medium businesses, called the order ambiguous and said there were merchants with doubts about its scope.
Closures ordered by territorial governor Wanda Vázquez started (pictured) at 6 pm on Sunday and are set to last for two weeks in the effort to halt the spread of coronavirus
A view of an empty restaurant in San Juan, Puerto Rico, 15 March. Schools in the territory have been ordered to close until March 30
Mr Argüelles said: ‘The government must take advantage and implement measures that reduce the cost of doing business in Puerto Rico and that compensate the affected businesses.’
The governor’s order sets a six-month jail term or a fine of up to $5,000 for violators. It came a day after the governor ordered schools closed until March 30.
Solá Oliver said she had found the order confusing as well, but that its effect will ‘in economic terms be devastating.’
A street vendor waits for costumers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 15
A taxi driver waits for costumers on the quiet street in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 15