Venezuelans awoke today to a reality that has become increasingly commonplace around the world: empty streets. This, after Maduro ordered a nationwide quarantine effective today in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The quarantine comes as Maduro government announced three more cases of the disease in Venezuela today, bringing the total since the outbreak began there last week to 36.
There was police and military presence along roads and at some establishments like markets all around the country to enforce the measure.
Below, videos and images of the first day of the quarantine.
A police barricade blocking the Cota Mil, a highway in Caracas:
Another barricade, also preventing traffic flow in Caracas:
Empty streets in Caracas:
The video below shows Minister of the Interior Vladimir Padrino Lopez asking people in a line to stand further apart from each other:
The normally busy La Bandera bus terminal in Caracas was deserted today:
So was this bus terminal in the Independencia municipality of Bolivar state:
As well as this one, in Barinas state:
Maduro Asks IMF for $5 Billion
Earlier today, Caracas asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for $5 billion in aid in order to help combat COVID-19 in Venezuela.
The news broke from Minister of Foreign Affairs Jorge Arreaza, who posted the request letter that Maduro sent to the IMF on his Twitter account.
In the letter, Maduro writes that his government has been taking “highly comprehensive, strict and exhaustive” measures in order to combat the virus, and that a “crucial moment” in that struggle had come. As a result, Maduro explains that he is asking the IMF for $5 billion in Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) funding.
Below, the letter:
https://twitter.com/jaarreaza/status/1239986650152910849
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