“During the last three months…the health situation …has evolved favorably, with a very significant reduction in infections, active cases, hospitalizations and deaths,” President Sebastian Pinera told reporters. The state of emergency, an extraordinary administrative measure approved by Congress early in 2020, had allowed the government to impose night-time curfews and forced quarantines on hard-hit districts amid the worst of the outbreak. SANTIAGO — Chilean authorities announced on Monday the end of a state of emergency in force since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a sign of life returning to normal following a sharp decrease in cases in the South American nation. Neighboring Argentina last week also unveiled plans to ease coronavirus pandemic restrictions, including loosening strict border controls, allowing more commercial activities and getting rid of the mandatory wearing of face masks outdoors. Chile reported 640 new cases on Monday, with a positivity rate of about 1.08% in the past 24 hours.

Source: National Post September 27, 2021 19:18 UTC