COVID-19 PULSE Start off with a weekly recap of the main Public Affairs developments across LATAM - Edelman
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COVID-19 PULSE
Start off with a weekly recap of the main Public Affairs
developments across LATAM.
COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24 2020
Argentina
STATS: 342,154 cases of COVID-19, 7,079 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] The Minister of [LOCAL MEASURES] The Government of the [DIGITAL ECONOMY] The Ministry of Economy
Productive Development, confirmed that the City of Buenos Aires continues its plan towards extended the scope of the functions assigned
Government is currently working on credit the gradual flexibilization, and this week to the Counsel of Coordination for the
lines for the reactivation of companies from authorized the reopening of hotels, and shops Financial Inclusion, to strengthen the policies
strategic sectors, which would replace the situated on central areas. (Source) on this subject. The Counsel was required to
current Assistance Plan. These credits will be promote the development of digital finances.
tied to objectives of employment sustenance (Source)
and development. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] After being approved at the [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] Alimentary [HEALTH] The National Program of Sanitary
Congress, the modification of the current companies, grouped in business chambers, Technology Monitoring was created by Decree,
budget was finally regulated by the Executive presented a proposal to the Government, to under the aegis of the Health Ministry, to
Power, reassigning special budget lines to deal carry forward a moderate price increase in the supervise the adequate use, testing and
with the consequences of COVID-19, by products that belong to the food & beverage prioritization of technology applied to health,
strengthening the financing of the Health industry, but manifested their positive insight assessing its efficiency, security, impact on
Ministry. (Source) towards the continuity of the Program Precios health, and cost. (Source)
Cuidados. (Source)
[ECONOMY] The team specialized on external [TECHNOLOGY] By Decree, the Executive [MANUFACTURING] According to a report
trade, constituted by authorities from several Power declared internet, telephony, and cable released by the National Confederation of
ministries to design policies for the economic television as essential public services, which SMES, the SMES´ production dropped 13.6%
reactivation, had their first meeting, in which means that their tariffs will be regulated by the interannually, compared to last year. During
they highlighted that their focus would be on Government, to guarantee the people´s access the first seven months of 2020, the sector
boosting exportation. (Source) to them. Moreover, their values were frozen accumulated a fall of 22.2%. (Source)
until the end of the year. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24 2020
Brazil
STATS: 3.627.961 cases of COVID-19, 115.476 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry
[EXECUTIVE POWER] Despite the fact that [LOCAL MEASURES] A survey carried out by [DIGITAL ECONOMY] In times of pandemic,
commerce has returned to work in practically testing students in the São Paulo municipal the National Social Security Institute (INSS), in
the whole country, President Jair Bolsonaro school system indicated that 16.1% of children partnership with the Digital Government
published a video this Sunday morning and adolescents between 4 and 14 years of Secretariat (SGD) and Dataprev, begins the
defending again the reopening of age were infected with the new coronavirus pilot project of life proof by facial biometrics
establishments. He went on to say that the and contracted the disease. (Source) from August 20th. (Source)
government cannot maintain emergency aid of
R $ 600 per month.(Source)
[COVID RELATED] The interim Minister of [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] Research points to [HEALTH] A survey showed that, for the first
Health, Eduardo Pazuello, said that the federal new eating habits in the pandemic, among time in the pandemic, Covid-19 transmission
government was unable to meet the demand them the preference for healthier and more may be starting to slow down in Brazil.
for chloroquine made by states and practical foods. (Source) (Source)
municipalities. The Army, however, said it has
almost 1 million pills in its stocks. (Source)
[ECONOMY] The crisis driven by the pandemic [TECHNOLOGY] President Jair Bolsonaro [MANUFACTURING] The Brazilian industry
of the new coronavirus caused the collection enacted two articles that authorize the continues to show signs of recovery and, for
of taxes to fall in at least 19 capitals of Brazilian practice of telemedicine for all areas of health the third consecutive month, showed
states in the first half of 2020. (Source) for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic. improvement in the indicators and is close to
(Source) the level of activity seen before the covid-19
pandemic.(Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Bolivia
STATS: 108,427 cases of COVID-19, 4,442 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] With at least five norms, LOCAL MEASURES] The Mayor's Office of La [DIGITAL ECONOMY] The economic and digital
the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) tries Paz is analyzing the biosafety protocols for the inclusion of women will be key for the
to govern from the Legislative. They affirm resumption of business or economic activities economic reactivation in the Andean
that their function is to legislate and supervise that were paused due to the health countries. Jorge Hernando Pedraza, General
the government. (Source) emergency. (Source) Secretary of the Andean Community, assured
that this organization promotes the
reactivation of intra-regional trade, supporting
women entrepreneurs. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] The Ministry of Health [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] The demand for [HEALTH] Health Ministry rejected reports
received a donation of biosafety materials and organic products increased by 60% due to from some media outlets such as the New
tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 from the coronavirus, which has encouraged family York Times, regarding the number of deaths
Association of Private Banks of Bolivia farming. In Bolivia, family farming represents from COVID-19 in the country, assuring that
(Asoban). (Source) more than 724,375 productive units, involving the data published does not have a reliable
2 million family farmers. (Source) source, because Bolivia has a record of
mortality. (Source)
[ECONOMY] The executive director of the [TECHNOLOGY] The National Telehealth [MANUFACTURING] A report from the Bolivian
National Institute of Statistics (INE) reported Program of the Health Ministry received the Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE) of June 2020,
that, despite the effects of the COVID-19 support of Ipas-Bolivia, a non-governmental Bolivian exports of textiles and jewelry fell by
pandemic, the national economy is showing organization that delivered technological up to 67%. (Source)
signs of reactivation, and less negative equipment such as conference systems,
variations. (Source) computer equipment, webcams, and LED
televisions. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Chile
STATS: 399,568 cases of COVID-19, 10,916 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] President Sebastián [LOCAL MEASURES] 30% of the Metropolitan [DIGITAL ECONOMY] Between Monday,
Piñera announced the return of professional Region remains without quarantine since this August 31 and Wednesday, September 2, a
football to the stadiums, after almost five Monday. 17 of 52 municipalities are in phase 2 new version of CyberDay will be held. E-
months of activity paralysis due to the COVID- of the Step by Step Plan, which allows more commerce has been a protagonist during the
19 pandemic. The First Division and First B mobility and fewer restrictions on the people pandemic, so an increase in participants and
championship will begin next Saturday, August (Source). promotions is expected (Source).
29 (Source).
[COVID RELATED] Health Ministry announced [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] The Chilean bottler [HEALTH] Health Ministry reported that eleven
that it will keep the public hospitals expanded Embonor has begun to experience a rebound out of fifteen provinces in the country
to 94% in 2021 due to possible outbreaks of in its sales, after the sales fell 0.4% compared decreased its cases of COVID-19. The variation
COVID-19. The authority will add 600 beds to to the same period last year as a result of the of positive cases was - 12% in the last days,
the 640 beds that were before the pandemic COVID-19 pandemic (Source). with a national incidence of 68 cases per 100
(Source). thousand people (Source).
[ECONOMY] A study carried out by the Chilean [TECHNOLOGY] Virtual Police Station [MANUFACTURING] Chilean coronavirus
Security Association and the consulting firm registered a maximum of 1,429,146 permits in vaccine prepares first human trials. The drug
McKinsey, revealed that 58% of Chileans 24 hours. The request for these police permits has already started studies and hopes to start
companies plan to return to its offices at the has allowed people living in quarantined cities the clinical phase in 2021. Unlike other
end of the year or at the beginning of 2021 to move around the city for limited times prototypes, it is intended to be applied to
(Source). (Source). newborns (Source).COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Colombia
STATS: 551,696 cases of COVID-19, 17,612 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] President Iván Duque LOCAL MEASURES] Mayor Claudia López [DIGITAL ECONOMY] Between March 20 and
announced that Colombia would enter a announced that the quarantines by localities in July 20, the Superintendency of Industry and
period of “selective” quarantine. The Bogotá would end. López said that the retail Commerce (SIC) received some 3,400
restrictions on events and large crowds will trade would work from Thursday to Sunday complaints related to online sales. Most of
continue during September while the and the construction from Monday to them due to breaches in deliveries, contractual
government evaluates the spread of the virus. Saturday. Besides, she said that the hotel and conditions, and misleading advertising.
(Source) tourism sector is reactivated and that (Source)
restaurants will have open-air service. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] El Dorado International [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] Colombian [HEALTH] The government announced that
Airport in Bogotá, the Rafael Núñez Government authorized the pilot plans to Colombia would participate in clinical trials of
International Airport in Cartagena, the reopen the country’s bars, but these a candidate vaccine. (Source)
Palonegro Airport of Bucaramanga, and the establishments will not be able to sell alcoholic
Camilo Daza Airport of Cúcuta obtained the ' beverages. Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López,
Check-in Certificado' biosafety seal, from the authorized the sale of liquor in the pilot of
Trade Ministry (Source) open-air restaurants and gastro bars (Source)
[ECONOMY] The Government presented a [TECHNOLOGY] President Iván Duque and ICT [MANUFACTURING] The Trade Ministry
new strategy to attract more foreign Minister Karen Abudinen presented the ICT reported that as of August 15, more than
investment to Colombia between 2020-2022. Mission 2022 project that seeks to train 254,000 manufacturing, service and trade
The priority will be foreign investment in 100,000 people in Colombia in software companies restarted work in different parts of
mega-investments, tourism projects, development and programming over two the country. (Source)
promotion of the shipyard industry, and e- years. (Source)
invoicing. Colombia expects non-mining
investment for US 11.500 million. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Ecuador
STATS: 108,289 cases of COVID-19, 6,322 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] The political parties and LOCAL MEASURES] President Lenin Moreno [DIGITAL ECONOMY] On September 16,
movements announced their presidential gave a loan for the economic reactivation in imported digital services will begin to pay value-
candidates and their candidacy must be Guayaquil. The credit is part of the Reactívate added tax (VAT) in Ecuador, according to the
approved by the CNE. The elections will be on Ecuador program, which has USD 1,150 million regulations for the Tax Simplification and
February 7. Also, it is necessary to highlight that will be allocated to the most affected Progressivity Law. (Source)
that the candidate Andres Arauz is the sectors during the pandemic. (Source)
candidate of the Democratic Center party -left
party- and his vice-presidential formula will be
former president Rafael Correa. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] Ecuador activates the [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] The restrictions on [HEALTH] The State of Israel donated 120
'COVID' squads to avoid new pandemic chaos. the sale of liquor from Friday to Sunday by the biosecurity kits to the Ministry of Health for
The squads will be made up of criminalistics Emergency Operations Committee (COE) will medical personnel. Kits include surgical gowns,
personnel, doctors, fumigators, and funeral end on Monday, August 31. The prohibition of gloves, surgical masks, and biosafety
directors to avoid further deaths in Quito due the sale of liquor is exempted in category 4 suits. (Source)
to the increase of COVID-19 cases. (Source) and tourist restaurants, where the
consumption of alcohol is allowed as an
accompanying drink. (Source)
[ECONOMY] The government presented [TECHNOLOGY] More than 156,000 people [MANUFACTURING] The Productive
Decree 1130, which extends the Productive downloaded the ASI app to find out if they Development Law has generated 104 investment
Development Law for 24 months. This law were close to someone infected with COVID- contracts for USD 2,546 million in two years. In
seeks the exemption of the Income Tax and 19. The Minister of Government Maria Paula 2019 the Government received USD 1,150
Currency Outflow to companies that make Romo highlighted that Ecuador is one of the million. 56% of investment in 2019 went to the
new productive investments. (Source) pioneers in the region when developing the manufacturing industry, followed by tourism and
tool. (Source) the supply of electricity and gas. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Mexico
STATS: 560,164 cases of COVID-19, 60,480 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] President Andres Manuel [LOCAL MEASURES] After Mexico City shifted [DIGITAL ECONOMY] The Federal Economic
Lopez Obrador (AMLO) shared on his Sunday to a medium –level risk of contagion according Competition Commission (COFECE, by its
Message only “good news”: according to to the epidemiological traffic light system, Spanish acronym) has initiated an investigation
official data, the rate of COVID-19 contagion eleven piers in the touristic attraction in for potential ‘relative monopolistic practices’ in
and deaths are decreasing, August has been Xochimilco were reopened for the use of the digital advertising market in Mexico; the
the first month with no jobs lost since March trajineras under strict health and safety investigation will last at least 120 days.
and Mexico is participating in five different measures. (Source) (Source)
vaccine research protocols. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] The Minister of Public [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] According to Mexico [HEALTH] According to the World Health
Education, Esteban Moctezuma, and president City’s government data, around 90,000 bars Organization the situation in Mexico is
AMLO celebrated the start of the new school and nightclubs have reopened under a “complex” as many people are being
year. More than 30 million students in public “restaurant” model, serving food and underdiagnosed or diagnosed late, especially
schooling will attend classes broadcasted on beverages while limiting their capacity to 30% affecting poor and indigenous communities.
television and radio and will follow workbooks occupancy. (Source) (Source)
made available online. (Source)
[ECONOMY] According to a survey conducted [TECHNOLOGY] The Indian device that [MANUFACTURING] The electronics
by Bank of America Securities, investors are neutralizes the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in closed manufacturers Foxconn and Pegatron are
mainly concerned about government decisions spaces, named SHYCOCAN, will be seeking to open new factories in Mexico,
in Mexico (54%), the impact of an economic manufactured in Mexico for its distribution in which would add to the 5 factories already
slowdown in the United States (36%), and only the United States and Latin America. (Source) based in the country. (Source)
3% said they were concerned about the
COVID-19 pandemic. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18– Monday, August 24 2020
Paraguay
STATS: 13,602 cases of COVID-19, 219 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] The Executive Power LOCAL MEASURES] By Decree, the National [DIGITAL ECONOMY] According to the e-
announced new containment measures for the Executive Power officialized slightly less commerce platforms sector, transactions
economic recovery of the country, under the restrictive measures for the Department of through e-commerce and digital payments
framework of the Plan Ñapu’ã Paraguay. These Alto Paraná, than the formerly valid ones, almost doubled their original levels, during the
new initiatives, include a Regime of several though the region is still not considered ready pandemic . (Source)
Fiscal Benefits. (Source) to enter a new quarantine phase. These will be
in force until September 6th, (Source)
[COVID RELATED] The Executive Power [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] The list of [HEALTH] Health Minister Julio Mazzoleni
formalized moderate flexibilization measures beneficiaries of the Program for the SMES´s confirmed that the Government will
for the areas of Asunción and Central, which Competitiveness, organized by the Industry implement stricter measures, concerning the
will be in force for two weeks. The and Commerce Ministry, was published, and current flexibilization process that Paraguay is
Government called this new phase a “social most of the elected companies, belong to the undergoing, to control better the COVID-19
quarantine” (Source) alimentary industry. (Source) outbreak. (Source)
[ECONOMY] President Mario Abdo Benítez [TECHNOLOGY] The Minister of Information [MANUFACTURING] Yesterday, the campaign
expressed his positive opinion towards the and Communication Technology signed two “Paraguayo como vos” was formally launched.
external financial aid received by the National fundamental agreements with the National This campaign seeks to promote the
Government for the reactivation of the Direction of Intellectual Property, by which the consumption of products made by national
economy, which has already reached 30.7% of Government seeks to boost the digital industries, looking forward to protect and
the GDP. He stated that it is a necessary transformation of the country. (Source) develop the national sources of employment.
process, considering the development and (Source)
infrastructure needs of the country. (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Peru
STATS: 594,326 cases of COVID-19, 27,663 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] The President of the LOCAL [MEASURES] The health authorities in [DIGITAL ECONOMY] The National
Republic, Martín Vizcarra, announced that the Cusco intensified their actions to stop the Superintendency of Customs and Tax
second Universal Family Bonus of 760 soles advance of the coronavirus and enabled 12 Administration (Sunat) approved the Single
will be delivered from September to more points to carry out rapid and molecular tests to Register of Taxpayers (RUC) in digital, which
than 8 million households for the benefit of 28 identify possible cases of coronavirus within can be obtained online using a cell phone or a
million peruvians. (Source) the framework of the "Covid-10,000" computer connected to the internet. (Source)
campaign. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] Foreign Minister Mario [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] Sierra y Selva [HEALTH] Dr. Carlos Castillo, immunization
López Chávarri estimated that by the Exportadora organized a virtual business advisor to the Ministry of Health, reported that
beginning of 2021 Peru would already have roundtable, which generated purchase the vaccines against the COVID-19 vaccines
vaccines against COVID-19, as a result of the intentions for more than 8 million soles for the and those of the National Scheme will be
negotiations that have been taking place both next 12 months. It had the participation of totally free. Next week the Immunizations
at a bilateral and multilateral level, to achieve 3,543 organized producers of oregano, native Directorate will present the vaccination
that objective. (Source) potato, maca, among others, from different strategy to the country. (Source)
regions of the country. (Source)
[ECONOMY] Faced with the proposals of [TECHNOLOGY] A team of researchers has [MANUFACTURING] The Ministry of
Congress, the Government proposes the designed a portable cabin that guarantees the Production confirmed the prioritization of the
delivery of a compensatory bonus for 1,300 protection of health personnel who are in construction of 16 industrial parks in 14
million soles for contributors to the ONP, charge of taking samples to discard COVID-19. regions of the country. (Source)
which will allow them to continue active in the The prototype, designed by the Peruvian
National Pension System (SNP) and remain in startup Tinnitus Peru, has been tested by the
Essalud. (Source) National Institute of Health (INS). (Source)COVID-19 PULSE – PUBLIC AFFAIRS LATAM
Tuesday, August 18 – Monday, August 24, 2020
Uruguay
STATS: 1.527 cases of COVID-19, 42 deceased, as confirmed by the Health Ministry.
[EXECUTIVE POWER] The Government, [LOCAL MEASURES] Authorities urged [DIGITAL ECONOMY] The Chamber of Digital
announced that Uruguay will reopen its population to stay at home the night of august Economy of Uruguay (CEDU) released new
borders to travelers from the European Union 24, date of one of the most important national data on trends in digital consumption of
in the short term. The measure is a gesture of celebrations know as the "Noche de la Uruguayans, based on two surveys conducted
reciprocity with these nations since our Nostalgia“ to support the health control of by the consulting firm Cifra, showing how the
country is the only one in Latin America that COVID-19. (Source) pandemic boosted ecommerce. (Source)
has been enabled since June for its citizens to
enter Europe. (Source)
[COVID RELATED] 64% of Covid-19 cases in [FOOD AND BEVERAGE] On August 11, the [HEALTH] Medical guilds declare themselves in
Uruguay were due to contact with a confirmed price agreement that the National Executive a state of alert and great concern. The Medical
positive patient. The incidence of the disease had signed with businessmen and small Union announced a "pre-conflict in the
is higher in women, but mortality rate is higher merchants to try to contain inflation in the doorway" due to the lack of progress in the
in men, according to a report from the short term ended after three months of negotiation for salary and budget. (Source)
Ministry of Public Health. (Source) validity. A week later, prices had almost no
variations in large stores. (Source)
[ECONOMY] The unemployment rate stood at [TECHNOLOGY] Coronavirus UY exposure [MANUFACTURING] Indebtedness of the
10.7% in June, which represents a percentage alerts may be used in other countries besides industrial sector increased 3.3% and reached
point difference with the estimated value for Uruguay. The developers of the private sector US$ 2,250 million at the end of June. The
the previous month (9.7%). Uruguay had not app will grant the State the intellectual Chamber of Industries estimates that debt will
registered such a high figure for its property rights. (Source) represent 41% of the sector's GDP. (Source)
unemployment rate since August 2006, when
the level was 10.68%. (Source)You can also read
