Buenos Aires eases lockdown measures

Businesses like bookstores, music instrument shops, office supplies, and others opened Tuesday in Buenos Aires for the first time since March 20th when a nation-wide lockdown started in Argentina.

People can shop following a system depending on their national id to avoid mass gatherings.

Edith de Carpio, a dermatologist from El Salvador, who has been stuck in Buenos Aires since March 11th when she came to participate in a medical congress, took advantage of the newly lifted restrictions.

"To my surprise, it was opened and for me, that I love reading, it was a great surprise," de Carpio said.

Yet some other people felt uneasy in stores with many people.

"I was in one of the businesses and I felt dizzy from the number of people even though we were only a few," said engineer Luciano Rispoli.

Outside of Buenos Aires and its metropolitan area, where there are less COVID-19 cases, governors have authorized more businesses to open, including shopping centers.

Up until Tuesday the Argentine government confirmed 6,278 COVID-19 cases and 317 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.