Venezuela: Maduro asks churches to help virus treatment

Venezuelans reacted on Monday to President Nicolas Maduro's statement that Catholic leaders who have been critical of the way the government is handling the coronavirus pandemic should lend their churches to government health services, as the number of new confirmed infections steadily increases.

Gloria Estevez, who is retired, said she disagrees that churches should be used as quarantine spaces or healthcare facilities.

"We are waiting for the churches to open to attend the Eucharist," she said.

She said hospitals need to be better prepared so they are able to treat those infected with COVID-19, like in other countries.

In a televised meeting with ministers on Sunday, Maduro said church officials should lends their facilities those requiring treatment, rather than just providing criticism.

The country is now coping with Venezuelan returnees who had left the country in previous years, but are now short on opportunities in their host countries during the coronavirus lockdown.

In recent days Father Numa Molina, a Catholic priest that supports Maduro's administration, said returnees may pose a risk to Venezuelans, a statement criticised by religious authorities.

Catholic churches remain closed for religious services, but crowds still gather outside to pray.

A day before more restrictions are due to be eased, Maduro also said a radical quarantine will remain in place in Caracas, and six states as part of a renewed effort to stop the spreading of COVID-19.

Those states include Miranda, Zulia, Sucre, La Guaira, Táchira and Bolívar.

Venezuela is considered one of the world's least prepared countries to confront the pandemic, with hospitals routinely short on basic supplies like water, electricity and medicine.

The nation has registered considerably fewer COVID-19 cases than others in the region, and some experts fear that Venezuela's approach to rely on rapid tests is failing to record some cases.