Silvia Gomez
08/10/2020 - 15:41
- Clarín.com
- Cities
With 70,110 positive cases of coronavirus, 1,544 deaths, a lethality of 2.2% and an R indicator close to 1, the Buenos Aires government understands that the contagion curve is "stable" , which would remain "at these values for the next two to three weeks "and then " a downward trend should begin . " Thus, within this framework, and in the next few hours, officials from the different areas will evaluate in what way and under what guidelines stage number 2 of the "comprehensive and gradual start-up plan for the City" will be activated .
According to government sources confided to Clarín , the objective is to organize and focus the opening of recreational and commercial activities. For that, they are already thinking of a plan of demarcations of social distancing in squares and parks , a new ordering of take away in bars and restaurants, the possibility of enabling tables and chairs without service (that is, without waiters) and finally also enabling the possibility of individual sports . And although the protocols are thought and designed, everything depends on how the number of infections evolves in the City, but also in the rest of the Metropolitan Area, something that will be evaluated in the meetings, first between the City and the Province, and then with the President.
As usual, Mondays and Tuesdays are the days in which the most positive cases and deaths from coronavirus are registered in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. The argument is the delay in loading data for the weekend. That is why both days, plus what happens on Wednesday and Thursday, will be key in the decisions to be made.
With an eye on contagions, in the City they hope to move forward with permission to enable individual sports . Tennis, paddle tennis, golf and rowing were to start on Monday, August 3, but growing numbers stopped them. In addition, running groups could be added .
In the case of tennis and paddle tennis, obviously playing single and outdoors. It may not be about mass sports, but there are many workers who depend on these activities, such as clubs and teachers. In the case of running groups, if they return they would do so with limitations in the number of members.
The qualification of training for First Division football clubs increases the chance that individual sports will return. For two weeks now, coaches, teachers and clubs have stated that the risk of contagion in activities such as golf or tennis is minimal.
Despite having the protocols already developed, the City understands that enabling sports can have a political cost . Maybe as a return to the runners affair . Especially if it occurs in a scenario in which the restrictions must continue in the Province.
The individual sports activities - running, walking, riding a bicycle - had been enabled on June 8, from 8:00 to 8:00. On the first day, the squares and parks were overflowing with neighbors, who came out almost as in a relief. It also generated political fights: Nation and Province demonstrated against these sporting outings. They were suspended on July 1, when they returned to Phase 1 of the quarantine. And they were resumed on July 20, with a longer schedule, from 6 to 10 pm. In addition, the City expanded - with roadblocks around squares and parks - the available spaces.
For now you can leave according to the DNI number . The idea is that if you go to stage 2 that restriction will be eliminated.
La Biela, in Recoleta. In stage 2, it is planned that bars and restaurants can work with tables on the sidewalks. Photo: Maxi Failla
"It is difficult to take a step back in this context of contagion stability. Some openings may be delayed, but we do not believe that the conditions are in place to take steps back," they explained.
On the other hand, it was planned that in stage 2 consumption would be enabled on the sidewalks of bars and restaurants, on tables and chairs, but without service, that is, without waiters. A take away to consume in the same place where food or drink is removed. But of course the main objective is to avoid cases like that of Buller, the Recoleta brewery where up to a hundred people gathered last week. The measure is under study, in order to avoid crowds, especially in neighborhoods with a high concentration of gastronomy establishments.
This sector has been exerting strong pressure for months to return to work with clients in person. From the Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Confectioneries and Cafes (AHRCC) they assure that there are 8,000 establishments on the brink of the abyss , employing more than 60,000 people . They demand, among other things, an emergency law that contemplates the suspension for one year of the payment of the tax on gross income and the ABL.
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