Today no one is allowed outside in Bolivia. In every region of the country absolutely every person without government permission is required to be inside their home by law. We are in unique times. Here is a brief overview of the situation in Bolivia over the past two weeks.
While its neighbouring counties reported cases somewhat earlier, Bolivia only registered its first cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, March 11th. The following week the workday was reduced to 1pm and a strict curfew was implemented at 6 pm. Cases continued to increase over these days and a significant number of people were arrested for exiting their homes after 6 pm.
The following Saturday morning the interim president announced an earlier curfew of 12 pm and the absolute prohibition of private and public vehicles commencing at midnight. This sent people scrambling to stock up on supplies with only a few hours left to use vehicle transport for their goods.
The interim president went further on Wednesday night, March 25th, announcing people would be allowed out one day a week according to their national ID card number. So, Tim can leave on Tuesdays and Kallie on Thursdays during a window of 7 am to 12 pm. People under the age of 18 or over 65 are required to remain in their homes at all times and no one is allowed out on weekends. These restrictions are heavily enforced by police and military.
Here’s what this has looked like for us. On Thursday, Kallie ventured out for groceries. As she walked, there were military and police at every second intersection checking her ID card and making sure she was wearing a mask. The line to get in the market circled around the block with everyone standing a few meters apart. As she approached the door, an employee checked to see if she had a fever with a temperature gun before she washed off her shoes and had her hands sprayed with sanitizer. After stocking up with as many supplies as she could carry, she walked 7 km to drop food off at the homes of two elderly friends who are housebound. All this was time sensitive to the 12:00 pm curfew.
The following Saturday morning the interim president announced an earlier curfew of 12 pm and the absolute prohibition of private and public vehicles commencing at midnight. This sent people scrambling to stock up on supplies with only a few hours left to use vehicle transport for their goods.
The interim president went further on Wednesday night, March 25th, announcing people would be allowed out one day a week according to their national ID card number. So, Tim can leave on Tuesdays and Kallie on Thursdays during a window of 7 am to 12 pm. People under the age of 18 or over 65 are required to remain in their homes at all times and no one is allowed out on weekends. These restrictions are heavily enforced by police and military.
Here’s what this has looked like for us. On Thursday, Kallie ventured out for groceries. As she walked, there were military and police at every second intersection checking her ID card and making sure she was wearing a mask. The line to get in the market circled around the block with everyone standing a few meters apart. As she approached the door, an employee checked to see if she had a fever with a temperature gun before she washed off her shoes and had her hands sprayed with sanitizer. After stocking up with as many supplies as she could carry, she walked 7 km to drop food off at the homes of two elderly friends who are housebound. All this was time sensitive to the 12:00 pm curfew.
The government clearly recognizes the importance of preventative measures as Bolivia’s healthcare system simply does not have the capacity to handle a large increase in patients. Yet, these measures also put the most vulnerable at significant risk. Many families depend on daily wages and without the ability to work, they have little savings to draw on to feed their families. Poorer urban areas have little access to stores where food can be purchased nearby. This is limiting for everyone, but particularly single parents and the immobile who only have a few hours each week to get supplies and carry them home by foot. Elderly people living alone must depend on outside support from family or friends. Moreover, few people own a refrigerator (let alone a freezer) for food preservation.
The interim president took time to address another concern in the most recent speech to the nation: the alarming number of abuse cases being reported, particularly against women and children. Living with a violent person is difficult in the best of times but being locked in together under such stressful circumstances has become a living nightmare for many.
Please join us in praying for those on the margins, including those from our projects, who are feeling especially isolated during these times.
The interim president took time to address another concern in the most recent speech to the nation: the alarming number of abuse cases being reported, particularly against women and children. Living with a violent person is difficult in the best of times but being locked in together under such stressful circumstances has become a living nightmare for many.
Please join us in praying for those on the margins, including those from our projects, who are feeling especially isolated during these times.
Cochabamba
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