News of pandemic

Coronavirus pandemic

Pain, solitude, fear: stories of surviving Covid-19

Today 15:13 12 people from different parts of the world, who have survived Covid-19, share emotional and harrowing stories of the pain and fear after catching the virus.

Coronavirus pandemic

Government postpones local debt payments due in dollars until end of year

Yesterday 09:23 The government has issued a decree to defer close to US$9.8 billion in local dollar-denominated debt payments until 2021.

POLITICAL PAY-CUTS?

Politicians under pressure to trim salaries during virus crisis

04-04-2020 09:01 Demand for politicians to take pay cuts during coronavirus pandemic picks up. Move to trim political incomes backed by cacerolazo protests and most of opposition coalition – but not by all.

ARGENTINE FOOTBALL

Footballers are easy targets for virus-tinged anger at high earners

04-04-2020 08:26 There’s a lot of talk about the cutting of salaries amid the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s no reason footballers should be singled out above other societal high-earners.

by Dan Edwards

Global uncertainty

Almost 500 French tourists struck in Argentina await repatriation

03-04-2020 20:07 French tourists who have been stranded in Argentina since commercial flights were suspended are scheduled to take a humanitarian flight home home on Saturday – a return trip that for many has become an ordeal.

Coronavirus geopolitics

Solidarity? When it comes to masks, it's every nation for itself

03-04-2020 17:47 From government stock seizures to sales to the highest bidder on airport tarmacs, the hunt for face masks amid the coronavirus outbreak has become a global free-for-all, where the rules of fair play no longer apply.

Virus update

Coronavirus may spread through normal breathing: US scientists

03-04-2020 17:41 New coronavirus might spread through the air via normal breathing and speaking, a top US scientist said Friday as the government was poised to recommend the use of face masks for everyone.

Argentina & the IMF

IMF to hold remote consultations with Argentina amid coronavirus pandemic

03-04-2020 11:21 The government announced this week that it intends to seek a new IMF programme that will allow the existing one to be refinanced until the country can tap debt markets again. The IMF’s normal yearly check-up, an Article IV review, will now likely take place remotely.

Coronavirus pandemic

Grandfather of man who ignored quarantine rules dies from coronavirus

01-04-2020 16:52 Shocking case in Moreno as 71-year-old grandfather passes away. Late victim is believed to have been infected by his own grandson – who ignored mandatory quarantine rules after returning from the United States to attend a party.

Bloomberg

Government to press on with debt talks amid virus delays, says Guzmán

01-04-2020 08:33 The government is continuing negotiations with bondholders this week and next, and looking to present an offer at some point after that, Economy Minister Martín Guzmán tells reporters.

Coronavirus pandemic

Facebook joins resistance to Bolsonaro virus claims

31-03-2020 18:56 Major social media companies are taking aim at Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's dismissal of social distancing, joining others in the country who have lined up against his controversial stance regarding the new coronavirus.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Economy fell by 1.8% year-on-year in January prior to pandemic

31-03-2020 15:15 INDEC's estimate of economy activity shows that GDP has registered year-on-year drops in 19 of the last 21 months.

Bloomberg

Peru tackles virus with region’s biggest stimulus, eyes IMF help

30-03-2020 19:58 Peru is moving to fend off economic catastrophe with a record fiscal stimulus and plans for a contingency line of up to US$18 billion from the International Monetary Fund to contain the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus pandemic

Pandemic may give traditional media a new lease of life

30-03-2020 19:54 The coronavirus pandemic and the need for reliable information has triggered a surge in traditional mainstream media audiences.

Coronavirus pandemic

Fernández fears Bolsonaro’s approach to pandemic will hurt Argentina

30-03-2020 18:55 President Alberto Fernández expresses concerns over his Brazilian counterpart's approach to the coronavirus pandemic, fearing its impact on locked-down Argentina.

Bloomberg

Aluminium among first virus-related output reductions in Argentina

30-03-2020 18:49 Aluar Aluminio Argentino SAIC reduces production at one of its aluminium plants, another sign that global light metal production is slowing down.

Coronavirus pandemic

Brazil's Bolsonaro makes life-or-death coronavirus gamble

30-03-2020 15:58 Even as coronavirus cases mount in Latin America’s largest nation, Bolsonaro is calling the pandemic a momentary, minor problem and saying strong measures to contain it are unnecessary.

Coronavirus pandemic

President Fernández extends mandatory quarantine period until April 12

29-03-2020 22:55 Alberto Fernández praises citizens for complying with shutdown, announces "preventative and obligatory" quarantine period for all citizens will be extended until midnight on Sunday, April 12.

Sport chaos

Isolated abroad, footballers learn to deal without the game

29-03-2020 20:33 The riches, glamour and glory of playing football in front of packed stadiums attracts the world's top players across borders but with the European game in lockdown, many have been left isolated from their families.

Covid-19 death toll

Uruguay reports first coronavirus-linked death

29-03-2020 18:36 Uruguay reported its first death linked to the novel coronavirus on Saturday, a former minister and ally of the ruling party, the government said.

Coronavirus pandemic

'I struggled to breathe:' Dybala reveals coronavirus nightmare

27-03-2020 19:25 Juventus star Paulo Dybala revealed Friday how he "struggled to breathe" after contracting coronavirus which has killed over 9,000 people in Italy.

Coronavirus Pandemic

The G20 video call: In the coronavirus era, even summits are virtual

27-03-2020 14:30 Leaders of the world's most powerful economies will convene virtually to coordinate a response to the fast-spreading new coronavirus. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, but for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Half-million infected with virus worldwide as economic toll rises

26-03-2020 17:11 Human toll of lockdowns against the coronavirus mounts as a record-shattering 3.3 million US citizens applied for unemployment benefits in a single week.

Coronavirus pandemic

In Quilmes, military steps in to assist food deliveries, hospitals

25-03-2020 19:38 Army steps in on the outskirts of Buenos Aires in bid to help Argentina's most vulnerable to help curbing the coronavirus pandemic impact on Argentina's most vulnerable persons.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Brazil President Bolsonaro slams 'scorched-earth' virus quarantines

25-03-2020 19:29 An estimated three billion people are now confined to their homes around the world – but Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro lashed out Tuesday at what he called "scorched-earth" quarantine policies to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

BLOOMBERG - OPINION

Coronavirus thrives in Latin America’s multilateral vacuum

25-03-2020 15:47 Shutting down is part of the new global normal. The danger in Latin America is that such sweeping measures feed the tempting illusion that walls, wilfulness and nativism are the way to beat a threat that is already ubiquitous.

by Mac Margolis

NUNCA MÁS

Quarantined Argentines use balconies, networks to remember 1976 coup

24-03-2020 16:51 Today marks the anniversary of the 1976 military coup, but with a mandatory quarantine in place to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, Argentines are finding other ways to mark the day.

Coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus in Argentina: Worst yet to come, quarantine may be extended

24-03-2020 12:03 Extension of nationwide lockdown is "a possibility" admits President Fernández, as experts warn the number of confirmed cases will double or treble in the coming weeks as testing is decentralised.

Coronavirus pandemic

Health Ministry confirms first cases of ‘community transmission’ in Argentina

23-03-2020 16:12 Novel coronavirus is spreading via "community transmission" in CABA, its surroundings and "some cities in Chaco, Tierra del Fuego and Córdoba" provinces, says Health Access Secretary Carla Vizzotti.

Pandemic Outbreak

Africa, Latin America fragile targets for coronavirus spread

20-03-2020 14:37 With the coronavirus now moving into parts of the world that are the least prepared, countries are grappling with limited ventilators, healthcare workers, and ICU beds.

Coronavirus pandemic

Officials confirm 31 new cases of coronavirus, taking total to 128

20-03-2020 12:55 There are now 128 people who have been infected with the new coronavirus in Argentina, of which three have died, according to data from the Health Ministry.

Coronavirus pandemic

Paralysis for Latin America with lockdowns, border closures

20-03-2020 12:30 Brazil closes land borders and Argentina enters nationwide lockdown, as Mexico and Peru report their first virus deaths.

Coronavirus pandemic

President Fernández orders nationwide lockdown in bid to contain virus

20-03-2020 00:15 Alberto Fernández announces "preventative and compulsory" lockdown of Argentina, from midnight tonight until March 31, in bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Coronavirus pandemic

City's emergency services ask porteños to stay at home

19-03-2020 14:55 Head of capital's emergency services asks porteños to stay at home and avoid social contact, as they struggle to deal with coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus pandemic

Italian coronavirus death toll overtakes China's as outbreak spreads

19-03-2020 14:32 Italy on Thursday overtook China's coronavirus death toll, with 427 new fatalities taking its total since the first case was registered in February to 3,405.

Coronavirus pandemic

Governors to meet President Fernández for talks on 'total quarantine'

19-03-2020 12:32 Reports suggest "total quarantine" being considered by president, who will meet with governors at 5pm at Olivos.

Coronavirus Outbreak

Phoneline for quarantine violations receives 1,500 reports on first day

18-03-2020 20:15 #134 phoneline set up by Security Ministry flooded with calls from concern citizens, as coronavirus panic sets in.

by Cecilia Devanna

Pandemic Outbreak

Government steps up efforts to bring stranded Argentines home

18-03-2020 11:39 The first Aerolineas Argentinas flight left Miami on Wednesday morning, bringing stranded Argentines and foreign nationals back home.

Pandemic Outbreak

World virus infections hit 200,000; Borders jammed in Europe

18-03-2020 10:55 Fearing a global shutdown, the United States, Britain and the Netherlands announce rescue packages totalling hundreds of billions of dollars.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Uruguay closes borders with Argentina in bid to block coronavirus

17-03-2020 20:33 Uruguayan government decrees state of health emergency and the partial closure of borders; number of confirmed cases rises to 50.

Fight against Covid-19

Leaders shut Europe's borders to fight outbreak

17-03-2020 16:04 World Health Organisation calls for "boldest actions" against the pandemic on the continent, the outbreak's new epicentre, as European countries took draconian measures never before seen in peacetime.

Coronavirus pandemic

Brazil confirms first Covid-19 death, Bolsonaro mocks 'hysteria'

17-03-2020 15:40 Brazil confirmed its first death from the coronavirus on Tuesday, as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro declared a state of emergency over the virus outbreak.

Coronavirus pandemic

Copa América, Euro 2020 football tournaments postponed

17-03-2020 12:36 Co-ordinated decision between UEFA and CONMEBOL sees both tournaments delayed by a year. This year's Copa América was due to be co-hosted by Argentina and Colombia.

Coronavirus pandemic

Fernández vows to clamp down on virus price gouging

17-03-2020 12:04 Peronist president says he will put "AFIP to work against speculators," saying he will not "tolerate rogues taking us for fools."

Virus in Latin America

Chile, Peru close borders as Latam grounds flights over pandemic

16-03-2020 22:39 Chile and Peru announced a total closure of its borders on Monday while Latin America's largest airline announces it is reducing operations by 70 percent, as region scrambles to deal with coronavirus pandemic.

Bloomberg

IMF ready to mobilise US$1-trillion loan capacity to tackle virus

16-03-2020 16:12 IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva calls for global coordination on monetary, fiscal and regulatory support amid coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus pandemic

Daily life near a standstill as nations try to halt pandemic

16-03-2020 16:07 Meeting with friends, dining out, worshiping and other daily routines have nearly halted as nations take drastic steps to try to stop the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Pandemic

Education minister tells Argentina's students: 'It's not a vacation’

16-03-2020 15:13 Education Minister Nicolás Trotta announces plans to cope with school shutdown, after government suspends all classes until March 31 due to coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus pandemic

Buenos Aires City government adopts new measures to curb virus

16-03-2020 14:48 City Mayor Horacio Rodriguez Larreta moves to mitigate circulation of coronavirus in capital. But don't worry – you can still get married...

US Elections

'Bigger than any one of us' – Biden, Sanders tackle pandemic in debate

16-03-2020 14:33 Two Democratic candidates discuss climate change, VP running mates, and how they would handle the coronavirus if they were president in televised debate with no audience.