It turns out it was just a matter of time. The coronavirus landed in Latin America on February 26, when Brazil confirmed a case in São Paulo. Since then, governments across the region have taken an array of actions to protect their citizens and contain COVID-19’s spread.

Aside from the health risks, there will be an economic impact as well. China ranks as either the first or second-largest trade partner for several Latin American countries. On March 2, the OECD decreased global GDP growth expectations for the year by half a point to 2.4 percent. Prior to the epidemic, the IMF predicted 1.6 percent GDP growth for the region for 2020. In a perfect storm for economies, dropping oil prices have resulted in plunging Latin American markets and currencies.

---

• LatAm in Focus: Dr. Julio Frenk on the Coronavirus Pandemic in an Age of Populism
• Video: The Impact of the Coronavirus on Latin America and the Caribbean

---

Below, AS/COA Online takes a look at measures taken and economic impact felt in Latin America.

In addition to national measures, the Central American countries of Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic agreed on March 11 to create a regional plan to combat the pandemic. In other parts of the Americas, as of March 14, cases had been confirmed in Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Canada, Curacao, French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, St. Lucia, St. Martin, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Virgin Islands, and the United States.

Argentina	Dominican Republic	Panama
Bolivia	Ecuador	Paraguay
Brazil	El Salvador	Peru
Chile	Guatemala	Puerto Rico
Colombia	Honduras	Uruguay
Costa Rica	Mexico	Venezuela
Cuba	Nicaragua

 

This article was originally published on March 5 and has been updated with new information.

Argentina

Spread

• March 19: 128 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 97 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 19 confirmed cases.
• On March 7, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to announce a death related to the virus after a 64-year-old man died in Buenos Aires. A second death was reported on March 13.
• The first case was confirmed on March 3, involving a 43-year-old Argentine man who returned home from a two-week trip to Milan, Italy.

Government response

• On March 19, the government announced obligatory quarantine from March 20 through March 31. During this time, all Argentines must stay in their homes and may only leave when necessary for necessities such as going to stores or pharmacies, or to buy gas.  The president said that authorities would patrol the streets to make sure citizens comply.
• President of the Chamber of Deputies Sergio Massa announced on March 19 that he will meet every 15 days with members of the opposition to jointly analyze government responses in face of the pandemic.
• On March 18, President Alberto Fernández promised to build eight emergency hospitals to combat the virus. After a meeting with cabinet ministers on March 17, the government announced more measures, such as extending leaves of absence for workers above 65 years of age, flexibilizing remote work, and fiscal measures such as minimizing individual and corporate taxes. The Commerce Ministry will tighten price controls and supply, and the Central Bank will loosen monetary policy.
• On March 15, Fernández announced the suspension of public and private school classes from preschool through high school, and the closing of borders until March 31. The president also asked citizens to stay home as much as possible. On March 17, Fernández also widened permissions for public workers to work remotely, and emphasized that this measure should be taken up by the private sector as well.
• On March 12, Fernández announced new measures via a “Necessity and Urgency Decree” including canceling all incoming flights from China, Europe, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and the United States for 30 days. On March 11, Fernández had announced that all travelers from China, Japan, Iran, South Korea, the United States, and the entire European continent must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

Economic impact and measures

• China is Argentina’s second-biggest export destination and the outbreak is already hitting trade. For example, 75 percent of Argentina’s beef exports go to the Asian county, and the value of these exports to China dropped 33.4 percent from December to January.

Bolivia

Spread

• March 19: 16 confirmed cases.
• March 17: 12 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 2 confirmed cases.
• Health Minister Aníbal Cruz confirmed the first two cases on March 10. Both involved women in their 60s who had traveled to Italy.

Government response

• On the afternoon of March 17, interim President Jeanine Añez announced that she was closing all of Bolivia’s land borders except to returning citizens and residents and suspending international flights, effective March 19. Domestically, the government is mandating that the work day be reduced to five hours, that markets close at 3 p.m., and that public transport stop at 4 p.m. each day. These measures will be in effect through at least March 31.
• On March 15, Añez announced that, effective March 16, most social activities would be banned, including in bars, event spaces, movie theaters, gyms. She reduced the limit of people at public gatherings to 100. She also announced that, as of March 18, no visitors from Europe or Iran would be allowed into the country, and that Bolivian nationals returning from those places would need to submit themselves to WHO isolation protocols. Over the weekend, several local governments imposed inter-departmental travel restrictions as well.
• On March 13, Añez declared a suspension of all flights to and from Europe, increased checks at all of Bolivia’s land ports of entry, and a ban on all public gatherings of 1,000 people or more.
• On March 12, Bolivia’s education minister announced the suspension of all classes through March 31.
• Añez declared a national state of emergency after meeting with Bolivia’s mayors and governors on March 11.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 17, the Bolivian Senate passed a bill that would allow for a “financial pause” on all payments for loans under roughly $10,000, flexibilization for loans over $10,000, and a restructuring once the health crisis is over. On March 18, Añez also announced that utility services can’t be suspended, some corporate taxes will be deferred, and families will receive a $75 credit in April for each public-school student in the home.

Brazil

Spread

• March 19: 621 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 529 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 34 confirmed cases.
• Brazil confirmed Latin America’s first case on February 26: a 61-year-old man who had recently returned to São Paulo from a business trip to northern Italy.
• On March 17, Brazil confirmed its first death from the virus involving a 62-year-old man in São Paulo. As a result, the government will ask Congress to announce a state of calamity to open up funds to fight the pandemic. If approved, the measure will be in place until December 31, 2020. This economic measure could result in a decific of over $30 billion, which is above the predetermined ceiling of roughly $24 billion.

Government response

• On March 20, the Brazilian Senate passed a so-called state of calamity measure, where additional federal funds can be used to combat the pandemic and a newly formed commission of deputies and senators will meet every two months with the economy minister to monitor the situation.
• On March 19, the government restricted entry to foreigners at all land borders—excluding permanent residents, diplomats, or international organization officials—for 15 days. The transportation of goods will not be restricted. On the same day, the government prohibited, for 30 days, entry via air by foreigners from the European Union, as well as Australia, China, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
• On March 12, the Health Ministry opened 5,000 vacancies for doctors to fight coronavirus through the Mais Medicos program and announced the creation of 2,000 new ICU beds. The National Agency of Supplemental Health also approved the inclusion of the COVID-19 test as an obligatory procedure in health insurance plans for suspected carriers.
• The Ministry recommends that people with symptoms or who have been in contact with confirmed cases quarantine themselves 14 days.
• President Jair Bolsonaro tested negative for coronavirus on March 13. At least six people have tested positive among those who joined a delegation to Florida where Bolsonaro met with U.S. President Donald Trump during the weekend of March 7. Reports indicate Bolsonaro will likely be retested. On March 17, Bolsonaro tweeted that his second test also was negative. On March 12, Bolsonaro asked his supporters to cancel plans for March 15 rallies in large cities. The marches aimed to push Congress to approve the president’s legislative agenda. Despite the president urging suspension of the march, many protests still took place nationwide. On that day, Bolsonaro left the presidential palace for the first time since being in medical isolation, shaking hands and taking selfies with protesters in Brasília.
• The state of São Paulo and cities such as Brasília, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro have taken measures like canceling events with more than 500 people, holding sports events without audiences, and closing public schools.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 18 the government had also announced measures relieving airlines and airports, allowing them to defer some fee payments for six months.
• Economy Minister Paulo Guedes announced a stimulus measure on March 16, with a package of over $29 billion to accelerate social assistance payments, defer corporate taxes, and ease workers’ access to severance funds. On March 11, Brazil's federal government agreed to dedicate at least $1 billion of a budget bill to the Health Ministry to battle the coronavirus. The Ministry determined that around $185 million will be transferred to states and municipalities to cover extended hours in public health facilities, distributed according to state population.
• Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan banks warned that Brazil’s economy will go into recession in 2020, with JP Morgan projecting an economic contraction of as high as 1 percent this year.
• China is Brazil’s top trade partner. The Brazilian stock market tumbled 7 percent on news of the first case, amounting to the biggest depreciation since May 2017. The real also fell to its lowest level against the dollar since the creation of the currency in the 1994. Brazil's stock market Ibovespa saw its fifth circuit breaker in six sessions on March 16. The Central Bank had approved on March 15 to facilitate the renegotiation of up to $690 billion in debts for companies and families in order to stimulate the economy.

Chile

Spread

• March 19: 434 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 342 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 17 confirmed cases.
• Chile confirmed its first case on March 3, which involved a 33-year-old male doctor who had travelled to Asia.

Government response

• Political parties and the Electoral Service agreed on March 19 to postpone the constitutional referendum to October 25 amid the coronavirus pandemic crisis.
• On March 18, President Sebastian Piñera declared a “state of catastrophe” for 90 days in the whole country, following the government’s Action Plan. This includes banning gatherings in public spaces, controlling the distribution of basic necessities, establishing quarantine and curfew, and limiting people’s movement across cities and the country, all with the help of the Armed Forces.
• On March 16, the government said the country entered the most complex phase of risk (phase 4), and that it would be closing all borders as of March 18, allowing only Chilean citizens to reenter the country with an obligatory two-week quarantine. In addition, schools will be closed for two weeks.
• On March 14, Chile’s government entered risk phase 3, given that it could no longer be confirmed that new cases directly involved foreign contact. As such, the country expanded the list of countries from which arriving travelers would be placed in quarantine to include China, France, Germany, Iran, Japan, and South Korea. On March 10, Chile’s government had already imposed a 14-day quarantine for travelers coming from Italy and Spain.
• Moreover, events involving more than 500 people have been prohibited.

Economic impact and measures

• The president announced an economic aid plan of $11.7 billion using a special constitutional clause to free funds without congressional approval. Piñera said the package will equal roughly 4.7 percent of annual GDP.
• Chile’s finance minister says the economic impact of the outbreak will be limited, even though China—its top trading partner—is the destination for a third of Chilean exports. Per Reuters, Citibank economists bumped Chile to the top of a vulnerability index due to how the coronavirus can hit supply chains and commodities, as well as market volatility.

Colombia

Spread

• March 19: 128 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 106 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 3 confirmed cases.
• Colombia’s Health Ministry confirmed the country’s first case on March 6, involving a 19-year-old woman who returned to Bogotá from Milan.
• President Iván Duque was tested for the virus after possible exposure on March 2 during a trip to Washington DC, where he participated in an event also attended by people who had been exposed to a carrier of the virus. The president tested negative.

Government response

• On March 20, residents in Bogotá and four departments begin a mandatory, four-day social isolation, which is being billed as a trial run for a potential curfew measure. During this time, the only people allowed on the streets are members of the health sector, the police forces, and public utilities. People are allowed to walk their pets and one person from each household is allowed to leave at a time to buy basic goods. All nightlife and religious activities are suspended during this time; alcohol purchases are limited to one item per person. Personal cars will not be allowed on the roads, except for those who are commuting to jobs they cannot do at home.
• On March 17, Duque declared a state of emergency and announced that people 70 years old and older are obligated to stay in their homes and isolate themselves. As of March 17, 19 Colombian departments had declared nighttime curfews.
• On March 16, Duque announced the closing of all of Colombia’s borders and ports as of March 17 at midnight through May 30, with only certain import shipments allowed in. The measure applies equally to citizens as well as foreigners. Within the country’s borders, Duque also mandated the closing of all bars and nightlife spaces and no social gatherings of more than 50 people.
• On March 15, Duque announced that, as of March 16, Colombian schools will suspend in-person classes through April 20 and will transition students to online learning. He also announced that entry into the country for all foreigners and non-residents will be restricted, and that all nationals and permanent residents arriving in the country will be required to go under self-quarantine for 14 days upon return.
• On March 13, Duque unveiled stepped up prevention measures including shutting down the border with Venezuela starting 5 a.m. on March 14. Between 20,000 and 50,000 people cross the Colombian-Venezuelan border per day, many of whom are Venezuelans seeking basic foodstuffs, supplies, and medical treatment as their country endures a prolonged economic crisis. Duque also announced increased controls on the border with Ecuador and restricted entry for non-Colombians and non-residents who had been in Europe or Asia during the prior 14 days while Colombians and residents who had been to either of those two regions would be placed in obligatory isolation. This comes after a March 11 implementation of a required 14-day quarantine for all travelers entering Colombia from China, France, Italy, and Spain.

Economic impact and measures

• Colombia’s peso reached a new low next to the dollar, and with China as Colombia’s third largest trading partner, Grupo Bancolombia said the outbreak could drag down Colombia’s GDP growth by up to 0.35 percent.

Costa Rica

Spread

• March 19: 113 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 69 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 13 confirmed cases.
• On March 6, Costa Rica became the first Central American country to confirm a case, involving a 49-year-old tourist visiting from the United States. Alvarado announced the confirmed case on Twitter and said Costa Rica had been preparing for the virus’ arrival since January.
• On March 18, the country announced its first coronavirus-related death when an 87-year-old man passed away.

Government response

• President Carlos Alvarado declared a state of emergency on March 16, announcing that the country would close its borders to foreigners and non-residents starting just before midnight on March 18 through at least April 12. Citizens and residents of the country will be required to undergo a two-week quarantine. Travelers with layovers will be able to transit the country.
• On March 15, Health Minister Daniel Salas announced all bars, casinos, and nightclubs will close. Regarding restaurants, he said they will be closed for 30 days in cases where they do not meet the rule of staying below the 50 percent capacity limit.
• On March 12, the government announced it would issue preventative school closings in cases of high risk factors to start the week of March 16, that public spaces should operate at 50 percent capacity, and that international travel for public-sector workers has been cancelled. Large gatherings have also been suspended. The Health Ministry announced that it will no longer report suspected cases in the country as of March 11, though Health Minister Daniel Salas acknowledged that the country’s number of suspected cases exceeds the testing capacity of Costa Rica’s national lab. The ministry is also monitoring ports of entry.

Economic impact and measures

• Costa Rica’s national emergency commission received a $1 million aid package from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration to combat the virus in the country.
• The pandemic will have a significant impact on the country, given the importance of tourism to its economy, with 3.1 million people visiting Costa Rica in 2019 and 220,000 people employed in the industry. Tourism accounts for 8.2 percent of the country’s GDP.
• The government has prepared a package with measures that include alleviating loan and social security payments, deferred tax payments, and price controls on certain products to avoid price gouging.

Dominican Republic

Spread

• March 19: 35 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 34 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 5 confirmed cases.
• The Dominican Republic's first confirmed case was reported on March 1 and involved a 62-year-old Italian tourist.
• The country reported its first death from the virus on March 16, involving an HIV-positive woman, 47, who also had tuberculosis and had traveled to Spain recently.

Government response

• As of March 16 through the end of the month, all incoming flights from Europe, China, and Iran will be suspended. Before the first case was officially confirmed, Dominican authorities on February 28 had ordered the suspension of all flights originating from Milan for the next 30 days. Health Minister Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas added that all travelers coming from Italy, regardless of their nationalities, will be subject to epidemiological testing upon arrival at Dominican airports. The armed forces transformed part of a naval base in Santo Domingo into a hospital, making 40 beds available for potential patients.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 18, the Central Bank announced a stimulus package for homes, small businesses, and the tourism and export sectors.

Ecuador

Spread

• March 19: 260 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 168 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 15 confirmed cases.
• Ecuador’s Health Minister Catalina Andramuño Zeballos confirmed the country’s first case on February 29.
• Ecuador confirmed the first death from the virus on March 13. The woman who died, a 71-year-old woman who lived in Spain and traveled to Ecuador on February 14, was also the country’s first case.

Government response

• On March 16, President Lenín Moreno said the country would enter a state of exception during which there would be a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., as well as limits on the circulation of cars determined by license plate number. He also announced the suspension of transport between provinces and of domestic flights starting in the evening of March 17 for 14 days.
• On the evening of March 15, Moreno announced a series of measures, including the suspension of citizens’ movements within the country except to buy food, medicine, and basic goods. Also banned are all non-essential commercial activities and social gatherings of more than 30 people. During the emergency, the administration is ordering that no one have their utilities cut off for lack of payment. The government is also providing increased internet and cell phone data service, as well as free coronavirus tests for anyone with symptoms.
• Ecuador confirmed the first death from the virus on March 13. The woman who died, a 71-year-old woman who lived in Spain and traveled to Ecuador on February 14, was also the country’s first case.
• On March 14, the vice president announced a series of strict measures: Foreigners would no longer be able to enter the country starting March 15, the prohibition of entry of Ecuadoran nationals and residents starting March 16, suspension of major events including religious ones, restrictions on activities involving more than 30 people, and land border crossings limited to six entry points.
• Moreno declared a national health emergency on March 11, requiring that all who travel to Ecuador from countries that have confirmed cases be placed under home quarantine. On March 12, the suspension of all classes in educational institutions starting March 13 was announced. In addition, meetings of more than 1,000 people have been prohibited, as is taking masks, soap, and hand sanitizer out of the country. The government also prohibited mass gatherings in Guayaquil and Babahoyo, the two places visited by the first confirmed carrier.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 17, Moreno announced steps to alleviate economic challenges battering the country. For the months of April, May, and June, social security payments while taxes will be deferred for the tourism and export sectors, as well as for small businesses.

El Salvador

Spread

• March 18: 1 confirmed case.
• The country—one of the last Latin American countries to confirm a case—announced its first one on March 18, involving a person who had traveled to Italy and whose return was not documented.

Government response

• President Nayib Bukele said on March 19 that the government is making plans to provide attention to as many as 12,800 infected people and is taking measures such as converting hotels to hospitals.
• On March 18, the government announced it was suspending deportation flights from Mexico and the United States.
• The president shut down the runway at the country’s main international airport just outside San Salvador on March 16, leading to a Twitter spat with Mexico’s foreign minister about an incoming flight Bukele alleged was carrying 12 people with confirmed cases.
• Bukele placed the country under quarantine on March 11. The quarantine will last for 21 days, during which all schools will remain closed and large gatherings prohibited. All foreign travel into the country has been banned, except for residents and diplomats, and Salvadorans returning to El Salvador will be isolated for 30 days. In addition, the president declared a red alert on March 13 and the Legislative Assembly approved a state of emergency on March 14, when Bukele also closed bars and nightclubs for 14 days.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 18, Bukele announced a plan suspending utility, phone, and internet bills for three months to be paid back over the course of the subsequent two years. The president also froze payments on items such as mortgages, cars and motorcycles, and credit cards.

Guatemala

Spread

• March 19: 9 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 8 confirmed cases.
• March 13: 1 confirmed case.
• President Alejandro Giammattei confirmed the country’s first case, involving a man who had returned from northern Italy a few days prior, on March 13.
• On March 15, the Health Ministry confirmed the country’s first death from the virus.

Government response

• Starting March 17, the Guatemalan government closed all forms of borders and prohibited entry by foreigners, suspended all forms of work, prohibited events of any size, stopped all public transport, ended all visits to institutions for senior citizens, closed all shopping malls, prohibited drinking after 5 p.m. hoarding of goods, and suspended visits to prisons. All shops must close from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. except in the case of pharmacies and essential basic services. Guatemalans can reenter the country, while residents and members of the diplomatic corps must undergo quarantine when returning to the country.
• On March 17, the foreign minister said it would block deportation flights from the United States, making it the first Central American country to do so. Then, on March 19, it announced it would resume them.
• On March 15, the Health Ministry banned the entry of European foreign nationals to Guatemala and recommended that the private sector allow all people above the age of 70 or with grave health to work from homes.
• On March 14, the Health Ministry announced the following measures: prohibiting religious events, suspending all school for three weeks, prohibiting gatherings of more than 100 people, suspending Easter celebrations, and holding sporting events with no public attendance.
• On the prior day, Giammattei announced that he would expand a previously instituted travel ban so that it would include the United States and Canada. The ban involved any country where transmission has occurred domestically rather than cases brought in from international travel. The Health Ministry said Guatemalan nationals would be allowed to enter from countries on the travel prohibition list, but would be required to quarantine themselves in their homes.His government had already imposed travel restrictions on people returning from China as early as January. On March 11, the Health Ministry also indefinitely banned incoming flights from China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, South and North Korea, and Spain. Travelers arriving from Europe in countries not in this list must be quarantined for at least one week.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 9, the head of the Bank of Guatemala estimated between a 0.1 and 0.2 percent decrease in GDP for 2020 as a result of the coronavirus. On March 12 Congress approved the president’s proposed state of emergency bill with a fund of roughly $30 million for prevention and containment.
• On March 20, the government said that it would increase its health budget to cover costs of medicine and equipment and suggested more funds could be made available depending on the impact of the pandemic in Guatemala. 

Honduras

Spread

• March 19: 24 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 12 confirmed cases.
• March 11: 2 confirmed cases.
• The country’s first cases involve two women who traveled to Europe: a 42-year-old who arrived from Spain and a 37-year-old who returned from Switzerland.

Government response

• On March 16, the government announced a national-level curfew starting at 10 p.m. that evening, as well as a state of exception that allows for the suspension of constitutional rights for seven days.
• President Juan Orlando Hernández announced the closing of all borders as of 11:59 p.m. on March 15 with the exception of Honduran nationals and permanent residents. The country’s national risk management agency also announced the suspension of all commercial and work activities, any events regardless of number of people, and public transportation, and reminded people that failure to comply could result in criminal charges. That said, there are a host of exemptions, for everyone from public-sector and health service workers to drive-through restaurants.
• On March 14, Honduras announced a two-week long national red alert that would restrict gatherings of more than 50 people and create specialized health units. On March 12, the country announced that all public and private schools would be closed for two weeks starting March 13.
• On March 10, the government suspended deportation flights from Mexico.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 16, the government announced measures such as injecting funds into the construction sector, extending credit lines to ensure access to food, and financial support for small business owners.

Mexico

Spread

• March 19: 164 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 118 confirmed cases.
• March 17: 93 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 7 confirmed cases.
• The country confirmed its first case, involving a 35-year-old man in Mexico City who was placed in quarantine, on February 28.
• Mexico’s first death, involving a 41-year-old man with diabetes, was confirmed on March 18.

Government response

• On March 20, the U.S. and Mexican governments announced that they will restrict nonessential travel across their shared border starting on March 22, although commerce will continue. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the deal had been created in a way so it “won't paralyze economic activity and keep the border open to commerce and work.”
• On March 17, the Supreme Court announced that it would suspend activities from March 18 through April 19.
• López Obrador, 66, has not paused his weekend travels through Mexico and stoked controversy during the weekend of March 14 after sharing a series of videos on social media in which he could be seen making physical contact with supporters. He announced on March 17 that he would travel to Oaxaca on March 21. During the week of March 16, he said that restrictive containment measures put in place too early would negatively impact the country’s poor and, during a press conference, displayed religious amulets he carries for protection.
• On March 14, the Health Secretariat announced that schools will be closed from March 20 through April 20. During the daily 7 p.m. press conference about the outbreak, Undersecretary of Health Hugo López-Gatell said that, from March 23 through April 19, the country would enter a period of "safe distance" in which people should work remotely and events of 5,000 people or more should be suspended. The Health Secretariat also released a statement saying that Mexicans should avoid non-essential international travel. On March 15, the Culture Secretariat emphasized that all events and activities in theaters, archaeological sites, and cultural centers that are currently scheduled for March 20 through April 20 will be rescheduled.

Economic impact and measures

• With global concerns about the outbreak along with Mexico’s first confirmed case, the peso saw its worst period of losses since Donald Trump won the 2016 U.S. election. On March 13, Barclays forecast that Mexico’s economy could see GDP contract by 2 percent in 2020, down from a prior forecast of 0.5 percent, due to interrupted supply chains, a decrease in tourism, and the virus’ spread. On March 17, Credit Suisse changed its forecast to a 4 percent GDP contraction for the year, down from 0.7 percent growth.
• On March 18, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said senior citizens would get an advance on their next pension deposits, receiving two payments instead of one.
• On March 20, Mexico’s Central Bank cut its benchmark interest rate by 50 basis points to 6.50 percent.

Nicaragua

Spread

• March 18: 1 confirmed case.
• Vice President Rosario Murillo, who is the wife of President Daniel Ortega, confirmed on March 18 the country’s first case, involving a 40-year-old Nicaraguan man who had traveled to Panama City.

Government response

• As of the time of the confirmation from Murillo, the government had not implemented quarantines, school suspensions, or travel restrictions, nor did she indicate if or that it would.

Panama

Spread

• March 19: 137 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 109 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 8 confirmed cases.
• On March 10, Panama became the second country in Latin America and the first Central America to confirm a coronavirus-related death.
• A 40-year-old Panamanian woman who had traveled to Spain became the country’s first confirmed case of coronavirus.

Government response

• On March 19, the government announced that all incoming international flights will be suspended as of March 22 for 30 days.
• As of March 18, Panama’s government mandated a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• On March 17, Panama held the first virtual Cabinet Council meeting in Central America, where the president and cabinet ministers discussed the government agenda following the Health Ministry’s recommendations to avoid group gatherings.
• As of 11:59 p.m. March 16, only nationals and foreign residents will be allowed entry, with mandatory quarantine for 14 days. In a press conference, Security Minister Juan Pino announced that public spaces such as nightclubs, bars, and casinos will close, and that all shops barring supermarkets, pharmacies and medical centers will also close. The Health Ministry also announced the suspension of non-essential surgeries and hospital visits.
• On March 16, the Health Ministry also announced the “Rosa” application, a virtual medical center where those exhibiting symptoms may speak to a doctor in real time.
• On March 14, flights from Asia were suspended. On March 13, the country suspended events of more than 50 people and had already prohibited flights arriving from Europe. On March 12, President Laurentino Cortizo announced a state of emergency, and presented to the government a national decree for necessary resources to mitigate the outbreak’s effects. The government had announced further preventive measures after the country's first death, including suspending public gatherings like fairs and sports events, as well as private- and public-school classes in central and northern Panama until April 7.
• On January 29, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) instituted stronger safety measures, largely in response to a worsening health crisis in China, to primary users of the waterway. These measures include requiring ships that docked in countries with confirmed cases to report them prior to their arrival in Panama.

Economic impact and measures

• Given that 6 percent of global trade passes through the Canal, financial analysts warn that Panama will feel the impact as the virus continues to affect trade.

Paraguay

Spread

• March 19: 13 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 11 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 1 confirmed case.
• Paraguay’s Health Ministry confirmed the country's first case on March 7 via Twitter. The 32-year-old man, who was quarantined in his home, had traveled to Ecuador for business.
• The country canceled flights from Asunción to Madrid, the country’s only direct route to Europe, for the rest of March.

Government response

• On March 17, the Health Ministry announced via Twitter a mandatory curfew between the hours 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. through March 24.
• On March 16, the presidency declared a health emergency in the entire country under Decree 3456. Also on March 16, Paraguay’s Health Ministry announced that only 30 percent of borders crossing points will be operational for the next 15 days to reduce entry to the country, and will prohibit entry for non-citizens for the same amount of time. Those who enter must remain in quarantine for two weeks.
• On March 10, the government announced it will suspend public events or large gatherings such as concerts, as well as classes in schools, for at least 15 days.
• On March 9, Paraguay’s Clinics Hospital, a research facility within the National University of Asunción located in the capital, began preparing a special block within the hospital to deal with coronavirus cases.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 13, President Mario Abdo Benitez announced economic measures, such as allocating roughly $81 million for health measures and a reduction in interest rates reduced to 3.75 percent from 4 percent.
• The government shared a number to call for people who traveled to countries where COVID-19 is present and who have symptoms. It also announced it will suspend for at least 15 days public events or large gatherings such as concerts, as well as classes in schools.
• Paraguay’s Clinics Hospital, a research facility within the National University of Asunción located in the capital, is prepping a special block within the hospital to deal with coronavirus cases.

Peru

Spread

• March 19: 234 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 145 confirmed cases.
• March 10: 11 confirmed cases.
• Peru confirmed its first case on March 6. The 25-year-old man had recently returned from a trip that took him to Spain, France, and the Czech Republic.
• The country’s health ministry announced the first four deaths from the virus on March 19.
• A U.S. judge released ex-President Alejandro Toledo on bail while he awaits his extradition hearing due to fears that keeping the 73-year-old in jail would expose him to the virus. Toledo is effectively under two forms of house arrest: one as a term of his bail but also because the entire San Francisco Bay Area is under a shelter-in-place ordinance.

Government response

• President Martín Vizcarra said on March 19 that the government is in the process of purchasing 1.4 million coronavirus quick test kits.
• On March 18, Vizcarra announced a nationwide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and banned all private vehicles from the roads. Both measures go into effect on March 19. Additionally, some 3 million low-income households will receive payments of about $100, meant to cover two weeks’ worth of basic goods, that people can pick up on March 19.
• On March 15, Vizcarra declared a state of national emergency, lasting 15 days, that puts strict controls on people’s movement within the country. The decree requires all of Peru’s borders closed as of 11:59 p.m. March 16, as well as prohibiting between Peru’s 196 provinces. Peruvians are required to stay in their homes, unless they are going to buy food or pick up medicine. Workers in several critical sectors, however, such as health, finance, communication, and supermarkets, are allowed to commute.
• On March 11, the government ordered that travelers coming from China, France, Italy, and Spain be quarantined at home for 14 days. The administration also announced that school classes are suspended until March 30.

Economic impact and measures

• The March 15 national emergency shut down Machu Picchu, where site administrators expect economic losses of up to $100 million due to the two-week closure, with some of the 2,500 tourists currently stuck in Cusco demanding refunds.
• China is Peru’s top trading partner, with 30 percent of its exports destined for the Asian country. Goldman Sachs says Peru, along with Chile, counts as Latin America’s most exposed economy due to coronavirus.

Puerto Rico

Spread

• March 18: 6 confirmed cases.
• March 17: 5 confirmed cases.
• March 13: 3 confirmed cases.
• Governor Wanda Vázquez confirmed the U.S. territory’s first three cases on March 13.

Government response

• On March 18, the governor asked the U.S. federal aviation agency to restrict flights to and the use of airports in Puerto Rico to stop tourists from going there and bringing more cases to the island. In addition, the country’s legislature is taking steps to delay the Democratic presidential primary to the end of April.
• On March 16, Puerto Rico’s government announced it will only hold online press conferences, the first to do so among U.S. territories and states.
• In a televised address on March 15, Vázquez announced an islandwide curfew between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., and nonessential businesses to close until March 30. Supermarkets, pharmacies, medical equipment stores, gas stations and banks are among the essential services that are to remain open.
• In a press conference, Vázquez announced that public schools would be closed for 14 days starting March 16 and the suspension of cruises entering ports. In addition, she said that she had accepted the resignation of Puerto Rico’s health minister. The governor had already declared an island-wide state of emergency on March 12.

Uruguay

Spread

• March 19: 94 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 79 confirmed cases.
• March 13: 4 confirmed cases.
• Uruguay’s Ministry of Health confirmed the country’s first four cases on March 13. The first four cases were all people who had traveled to Milan and entered Uruguay between March 3 and 6.

Government response

• Classes in all public and private schools are suspended through at least Easter, April 12.
• On March 18, the government announced the closing of large commercial spaces such as shopping malls.
• President Luis Lacalle Pou announced the border with Argentina would close as of midnight on March 17. The decision was made in unison with Argentine President Fernández.
• The government announced on March 15 new measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including suspending incoming flights from the United States on American Airlines starting March 18, barring all flights from Europe, launching a mobile application to know where there are cases in the country and the coronavirus.uy website, and Lacalle Pou to communicate with regional counterparts to coordinate prevention measures.
• Upon confirming the first cases, the Lacalle Pou government announced a health emergency, partial closing of borders, obligatory quarantine of patients coming from at-risk countries (China, France, Germany, Iran, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and Spain) prohibition of stops for cruises, suspension of major public events, and no required attendance in public and private schools of all levels.

Economic impact and measures

• On March 19, the government announced it will extend tax payment deadlines to the Uruguayan internal revenue and social security agencies, and the Uruguayan Central Bank will provide credit lines to companies of around $50 million, while working with multilateral organizations to augment this sum to up to $125 million.
• China is Uruguay’s main export market. The Southern Cone country saw exports drop 20 percent year-on-year in February 2020.

Venezuela

Spread

• March 19: 42 confirmed cases.
• March 18: 36 confirmed cases.
• March 13: 2 confirmed cases.
• The country confirmed its first two cases on March 13, from two Venezuelans who’d traveled from Spain the week before.

Government response

• On March 19, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced the creation of an airlift campaign that will bring medical supplies from China, the first country to contain the virus, to Venezuela, one of the most poorly equipped countries in the world to handle it. Beijing is one of de facto President Nicolás Maduro’s biggest supporters, and Caracas owes Beijing billions in oil payments.
• On March 16, Maduro expanded a social quarantine, where businesses must close and residents remain in their homes, to the whole country, after initially implementing one in six states and the capital, Caracas. Exceptions will be granted for transportation, health, and food delivery services. Authorities also require facemasks for anyone entering public transportation.
• Interim President Juan Guaidó cancelled previously planned protests and is focusing on distributing 3,500 safety kits to medical professionals.
• Rodríguez announced that schools would also be closed indefinitely starting March 16. The day before, President Nicolás Maduro announced that all flights from Europe and Colombia into Venezuela were suspended for a month. Local media reported there were at the time 300 test kits in the country of 30 million, and 30 percent of hospitals in Venezuela’s collapsed health system had none.

Economic impact and measures

• As global oil markets tank, state-owned oil company PDVSA is offering discounts of up to 60 percent on oil exports, netting the state-owned oil company between just $14–18 per barrel. Over 95 percent of Venezuelan exports come from oil production, which is down about 75 percent from its peak at the turn of the century.
• On March 17, the International Monetary Fund denied a request by the Maduro government for a $5 billion emergency loan over the virus because there was “no clarity” as to who the country’s leader is—Maduro or Guaidó. The ask was a shift for Maduro, who derided the institution as recently as February.