LIMA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Peruvians are expressing their support for the measures announced by President Martin Vizcarra to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, including a return to Sunday curfews and an adoption of social restrictions.
"I give my full support to the social quarantine, which is for the good of the whole country because it is the only way to mitigate this disease that is killing thousands of Peruvians," Pedro Rosales, a teacher, told Xinhua.
"The hospitals are full. A neighbor of mine went to the Dos de Mayo Hospital on Monday and did not find a bed because there is a lot of demand and he had to return home, where a private doctor is treating him," Rosales explained.
Cesar Gameros, another citizen, supports the measures adopted by the government, saying they will help control the crisis.
"I believe in not going out in an uncontrolled way, ... you go out only for necessary things and avoid secret meetings," he said.
Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti said the latest spike in cases is due to people failing to social distance when visiting family and friends.
The president on Wednesday announced a partial return to stay-at-home measures starting on Sunday throughout the country, after the health authorities detected a new spike in COVID-19 infections.
"As of Sunday, we are going to go back to mandatory staying at home on Sundays," said Vizcarra, adding that he believes it is better to go back one step "because we always put poeple's lives and health ahead of everything."
Gilda Trigoso Diaz, another Peruvian, said that her countrymen are not respecting the measures established by health authorities.
The buses, for example, "are very full" and preventive measures are not being taken, she said.
According to the Ministry of Health, Peru has reported a total of 516,296 cases of COVID-19, which have overtaxed the public health system and caused a shortage of medical supplies. Enditem
