The organizing committee for the Mercosur summit suggested the use of face masks and rapid tests during the meeting this Wednesday and Thursday in Asunción, the first face-to-face meeting after the start of the covid-19 pandemic.
Source: EFE
This was reported in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of the transfer to Uruguay of the pro tempore Presidency of the regional bloc.
The measures were announced in response to the protocol established by the Ministry of Public Health, which provides, among others, hand washing and physical distancing to avoid contagion.
The Organizing Commission, the note added, suggested the use of masks “in order to protect the health safety of those present and avoid covid-19 infections as much as possible.”
The Foreign Ministry indicated that at the Convention Center of the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol), which will host the meeting, the installation of a health post was arranged to practice rapid tests.
Prevention kits, made up of alcohol and face masks, will also be delivered to attendees.
This Wednesday the meeting of the Common Market Council (CMC) will take place, which includes the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance, as well as the heads of the Central Banks of the Member States.
A day later, the Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur and its Associated States will be held.
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay signed the Treaty of Asunción on March 26, 1991, which gave rise to Mercosur, an economic bloc that brings together around 295 million inhabitants.
According to figures from the Ministry of Public Health, Paraguay registered 14,991 infections and 32 deaths from covid-19 in the week of July 3 to 9, which represented an increase of 15% compared to the previous period.
39% of infections corresponded to reinfections by the virus, attributed mainly to the omicron variant.
On the occasion of the summit, the Command of the Military Forces ordered the transfer of armored vehicles from the Presidential Escort Regiment in Asunción to the town of Luque, where the convention center that will host the meeting is located.
