MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia announces end of Covid-19 emergency

Wearing face masks will be voluntary as of August, although their use in closed spaces and health centers to avoid respiratory infections, Arce explained.

Bolivia is shifting from a sanitary emergency to an epidemiological alert regarding Covid-19, it was reported Monday in La Paz. “Today Bolivia leaves behind the international sanitary emergency and enters a national epidemiological alert,” President Luis Arce Catacora announced on social networks.

Starting Tuesday, the emergency is behind “thanks to concrete actions” such as the diagnosis and mass vaccination, in addition to the “equipment of hospitals, the unity and solidarity of everyone,” Arce also explained. “Unity allowed us to leave the sanitary emergency and now we remain alert. What yesterday seemed impossible, today is a reality,” he said.

“We must continue to apply biosecurity measures on a mandatory basis in health establishments, recommend the use of facemasks in closed environments, washing and disinfection of hands as a preventive measure to avoid contagions,” he added.

On March 10, 2020, Bolivia confirmed the first case of Covid-19. Until last Sunday, a total 1,206,450 infections were confirmed, including 22,399 deaths. Health authorities also said 9,463 were still active.