End of the pandemic in Peru? The government has rescinded the State of National Emergency, established due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the repeal of the supreme decree, imposed since 2020, and also its extensions. What does the measure really mean?
When the measure was decreed for the first time, more than two years ago, it can be remembered that the entire country came to a standstill: freedom of movement and assembly was restricted. The shops were closed, as were the borders, and there was a curfew. It was necessary to have a mobility pass and there could be no family gatherings.
The Armed Forces and the Police were in charge of ensuring order and could even enter houses if the violation of the measures was alerted. The use of the mask, social distance, alcohol to disinfect and the thermometer were other mandatory provisions.
Those who dared to violate the sanitary measures could be fined and/or detained. Throughout the pandemic, especially with the arrival of vaccines, little by little, these restrictions have been lifted and we have been returning to normality. Finally, on October 27, the government decided to repeal the State of National Emergency due to COVID-19, through the Supreme Decree 130-2022-PCM, published in the Legal Norms Bulletin of the Official Gazette El Peruano. The measure comes into effect this Friday, October 28, 2022. What does this mean?
WHY WAS THE STATE OF EMERGENCY LIFTED?
The Executive argues that the repeal of the state of emergency due to the progress of the vaccination process against COVID-19, as well as the decrease in the number of positive cases, patients hospitalized with intensive care and deaths as a result of the virus.
The decree indicates, however, that each entity of the three levels of government “promotes the optional use of masks, vaccination against COVID-19 and other measures to promote and monitor healthy practices and activities” in relation to the health emergency. It adds that, for this, the Ministry of Health, through a Ministerial Resolution, dictates the provisions that are necessary.
WHAT DID THE STATE OF EMERGENCY AGAINST COVID-19 REPRESENT IN PERU?
The former Minister of Health, Fernando Carbone, indicated that the state of emergency “It was the broadest way to fight the pandemic, since it provided for the use of financial resources, hiring of health personnel, as well as the implementation of measures such as the use of a mask and capacity “.
“Now, the economic and health measures have been rendered ineffective”, he added to this medium. The doctor stressed that now the sanitary provisions of the Minsa would be optional and not mandatory.
WHAT DOES THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IN PERU MEAN?
The specialist in decentralization and public policies, Arturo Granados, indicates that the Supreme Decree 130-2022-PCM It is a kind of declaration of the end of the pandemic, that is, we return to the state prior to the appearance of COVID-19.
“It is a kind of formal declaration of the end of the pandemic, although it is not over. All restrictions have been lifted. Everything will return to normal”he added.
Now, according to the decree, the Ministry of Health can promote, but no longer require compliance with certain health measures. “The decision is in the field of people because the pandemic is not over yet and there are still more than 7 million people without receiving the third dose”, explained the specialist.
Granados indicates that if we base ourselves on the last extension of the State of National Emergencywhich is the No. 118-2022-PCM, everything that it indicates would be without effect. Here are its main measures:
- Mandatory use the use of a KN95 mask or three folds with a cloth mask in health establishments, vehicles of the ground transportation service for people and closed spaces without ventilation.
- Mandatory use the use of a KN95 mask or three folds with a cloth mask for people with respiratory symptoms, both in open and closed spaces.
- Verification of vaccination against COVID-19, in Peru and/or abroad, must be done through the physical or virtual card.
- Peruvians and foreign residents 12 years of age or older, whose final destination is the national territory as passengers and regardless of the country of origin, must prove that they have applied the three (3) doses of vaccination.
SINCE WHEN DID THE STATE OF EMERGENCY GOVERN
This situation had been in effect in the country since March 2020, due to the appearance of COVID-19 cases, which have caused about 216,884 deaths and 4.1 million cases, according to figures from the Ministry of Health as of March 25. October 2022.
The government of that time issued Supreme Decree 008-2020-SA for this purpose, establishing a term of 90 days for it; This situation was extended through another seven decrees until October 31. All have been repealed with the decree Supreme Decree 130-2022-PCM.
