Bolivia delays presidential elections, mandates 14-day quarantine against virus

Bolivia's interim government announced on Saturday it would postpone presidential elections originally slated for May 3 and institute a mandatory countrywide quarantine for 14 days as coronavirus spread across the Andean nation.

Issued on: 21/03/2020 - 22:18

People walk past an electronic sign on the Bolivia's government building displaying the message "Stay at home, do it for your family" and "For my community", as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak continues, in downtown La Paz, Bolivia March 20, 2020. REUTERS - DAVID MERCADO

Text by: NEWS WIRES

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The country's electoral authority said in a statement it would "suspend the elections calendar" for 14 days to match the quarantine, but did not set a new date for the vote.

The tribunal said it would work together with all of the country´s political parties and organizations to determine when to hold the election.

Interim president Jeanine Anez earlier in the day told reporters the quarantine measure would begin Sunday and extend until April 4. Bolivia earlier this week closed its borders and canceled all international flights.

Anez said supermarkets, hospitals, banks and pharmacies would continue to operate as normal during the quarantine. The government would provide cash payments to needy families with children beginning in April, she said.

Bolivia has confirmed 19 cases of coronavirus.

(REUTERS)