Some non-essential stores reopen for business in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires City authorities began allowing some "non-essential" shops and businesses to reopen on Tuesday, easing coronavirus restrictions in place in the capital since March 20.

President Alberto Fernández's government has said a nationwide quarantine will remain in place until May 24, but it allowed businesses to reopen in some areas of the country as part of a gradual resumption of economic activity.

Bookstores, florists and perfumeries were permitted to reopen. Stores were required to limit the number of customers and some had to allocate entry according to an individual's DNI identity card number.

Cafés and restaurants are also allowed to reopen from Tuesday, but only for take-away orders.

As already trailed, children will also be allowed out at the weekends, but only at certain times and they will not be allowed to roam more than 500 metres from their homes. Again, restrictions based on DNI numbers apply. Parks and playgrounds remain shut, however, as well as all schools and universities.

In contrast to the rising infection numbers in neighbouring Brazil, Argentina has largely contained the pandemic. Fernández has been cautiously optimistic about restarting the economy if the number of coronavirus cases remain low. 

The country has more than 6,200 cases of Covid-19 registered to date, the vast majority concentrated in the capital and its outskirts, home to around 14 million people. More than 317 people have died to date.

– TIMES/AFP