Peru will authorize from Monday the opening of non-essential businesses and that of cinemas, theaters, gymnasiums and casinos so far closed to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the government announced on Sunday.
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Public access to cinemas, casinos, theaters and gymnasiums will be limited to 40% of the reception capacity of the premises concerned, the government said.
The reopening of theaters and sports halls had been demanded for weeks.
Open-air theaters will be authorized to receive the public up to 60% of their capacity.
On the other hand, bars, pubs, nightclubs, karaoke bars will have to remain closed, said the government, which also recalled the obligation to wear a mask.
According to the new standards, from next week, the capacity of shopping centers will increase to 60% and that of restaurants with an outdoor terrace to 70%, against 40% so far.
The Peruvian economy entered a recession in the second half of the year due to the lockdown which partly paralyzed economic activities between March and June.
According to the Central Bank, GDP fell 12.5% in 2020 because of the impact of the pandemic on the economy.
Peru is one of the countries in the world with the highest death rate from Covid-19.
Since the start of the epidemic in March, Peru, a country of 33 million inhabitants, has recorded more than 36,200 deaths and 972,688 cases of contamination.