Uruguay Coronavirus Tuesday 17 March
Late today, the government of Uruguay announced that there are 50 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country. A bit over half are in Montevideo, which reflects the reality that the city has half of the nation's population.
(Edit to add: Fri-4 cases, Sat-6, Sun-8, Mon-29, Tues-50 cases)
Most are community spread; 20 from a 500-person wedding in Salto, Uruguay attended by one who had been infected in Europe.
Today my wife learned that she was (at a meeting a week ago) in close proximity to someone who was at the Salto wedding and now tests positive for Covid-19.
Uruguay is closing its river border with Argentina but not yet the land border with Brazil. Flights from the USA and from Europe are banned. Large gatherings, bars and restaurants are restricted; no dine-in but carry-out is available. Shopping hours are being reduced. The schools are closed, with plans for online classes; work from home is encouraged.
The cruise ship season has ended early.
Uruguayans are being asked to forgo their two penultimate customs of the cheek-kiss and of sharing the mate.
The street ferias (food markets) are not closed as of now.
I see less traffic on the rambla.
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