Piñera announces "Safe Return Plan" for coronavirus in Chile, but does not specify a date

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(Credit: Marcelo Hernandez / Getty Images)

(CNN Spanish) - This Friday, the President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, announced the "Safe Return Plan", the initiative with which he seeks to resume the work activities of Chileans and face the economic recession caused by the crisis caused by the coronavirus.

"The world and Chile are facing two great threats: first, the coronavirus and, second, the world economic recession, which is the worst crisis in the last 90 years, and which is bringing serious consequences of a social nature, destruction of jobs, reduction of income, bankruptcy of companies and quality of life for our compatriots, ”said the Chilean president at the beginning of his speech from the Palacio de La Moneda.

[LIVE] We share with you information about #Coronavirus https://t.co/TYLtsPXdHo

- Sebastian Piñera (@sebastianpinera) April 24, 2020

Piñera explained that this plan consists of three stages. Initially, the return to work of public officials; then, the return of workers from the private sector and civil society and finally, the return of students to their institutions.

"The plan will not require the return of high-risk people, such as the elderly, the chronically ill or pregnant women and other cases. It does include special sanitary measures such as social distancing, avoiding crowds, frequent hand washing, use of masks, "said Piñera, adding that the implementation of this plan will be" gradual, in stages, and we are preparing for it. These stages will be reported in a transparent and timely manner, so that we all have the opportunity to adjust our lives. ”

On the other hand, the president also announced the implementation of massive antibody tests to be able to deliver a health passport - called "covid-19 card" - to "all who meet the requirements. It will be a very useful and necessary tool that is beginning to be applied worldwide. ”

covid-19Sebastián Piñera