Sebastian Clemente
07/15/2020 - 9:08
- Clarín.com
- Cities
Although it was useful in containing the contagion curve and preventing thousands of deaths, the XL quarantine has visible side effects almost 120 days after March 20. The economic damages are known. But you also think about the damage that prolonged isolation is causing to people's mental and emotional health due to saturation. For this reason, and despite the fact that the number of daily cases is still high (there were 3,645 on Tuesday, with the majority in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area), the Buenos Aires Government is advancing with the idea of once again allowing activities that were enabled until July 1 and even expand them.
This is the case of the recreational outlets for boys . Since they were implemented, they have been maintained on weekends. First they were according to the parents' DNI. Then both days. As they are now analyzing in the Buenos Aires Government, while the time is approaching to announce what the new stage will be like, the outings would be staggered the first week of the winter holidays and would be extended to the second week every day . Thus, from next July 20, the boys can go out on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and Sunday . And the week of 27, the permit would be extended to every day, including Saturday and Sunday.
"We think of activities that involve little risk of contagion and at the same time benefit comprehensive health. Most likely, we propose to resume the activities that were allowed before July 1, among which are recreational outings for boys and girls " , The Buenos Aires Health Minister, Fernán Quirós, acknowledged this Wednesday morning, although he gave details of what they will be like.
Clarín knew that the time and modality would be the same as before. That is, one hour , 500 meters from the home and without travel by public transport or car. It will also be recommended that there is no interaction with other family groups, to minimize risks of contagion. The objective seems to be to give families more recreation spaces. Especially considering that, because it is winter holidays, there will be no zoom classes, which are demanding but also serve to occupy time.
Outdoor physical activity would also be permitted in the new stage of quarantine in the City. Photo: Marcelo Carroll
As happens every time a new stage in quarantine begins, the Buenos Aires Government goes with its proposal to a meeting with the president, Alberto Fernández, in which the governor of the Province, Axel Kicillof, also participates. That meeting will be this Wednesday and announcements could be made Thursday.
With the numbers in hand and some stability, the City is betting on a return to the situation prior to July 1, with local shops open , including clothing and footwear, and also permits to do physical activity outdoors . It is studied whether the businesses of the 143 commercial galleries of the City will be added . According to a survey by the City Trade Federation (FECOBA), at least 40% of the premises that are inside will not be able to reopen, since they have been closed since March 20.
Commerce, one of the main engines of the City's economy, faces an acute crisis and according to FECOBA numbers, it could close at least 20 thousand stores . Before July 1, many of those who could function even for a short time, lowered the blind with the promise of returning to work after Friday.
But beyond economic activity, the "saturation" caused by quarantine is a theme present in several members of the Buenos Aires Cabinet. Hence the interest in enabling more outings for boys and allowing physical activity in general, and runners in particular, who were the ones who generated controversy and became the scapegoat for a fight that was more political than health .
Last Friday's Cabinet meeting also discussed the opening of other items, such as shopping malls and hairdressing salons. A document was then "leaked" stating the stages of quarantine exit. Quickly from the Government they clarified that it was a draft that should not be disseminated. But in the air it remained floating and the doubt grew as to whether it really was so, or whether the disclosure was intended to show that a plan for the future was being worked on, as to generate certainty in time when there is no surplus.
This week, the deputy head of government, Diego Santilli, said that there were about a hundred protocols drawn up thinking about what the “new normalities” will be like in each sector. Among them are those involving hairdressers and shopping malls , who are crying out to open. Everything seems to indicate that they will have to wait. Because from Monday there will be no surprises and the City will return to the quarantine prior to July 1: with local shops, physical activity in the public space and recharged outings of the boys.
SC