Venezuela eases virus lockdown restrictions

Venezuela began a partial reopening of business on Monday, after two and a half months of lockdown, aimed to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.

Barbershops, beauty salons, auto shops, construction sites and banks were allowed to begin operations, along with other sectors.

The nation is dialling down restrictions because it has reported relatively low COVID-19 impact: 1,510 cases and 14 deaths.

Experts have roundly criticized Venezuela’s data as suspicious.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced a plan on Saturday which dictates different businesses being allowed to operate in consecutive periods of five days of relaxed measures, followed by 10 days of lockdown.

Workers welcomed the reduced schedule after more than two months under strict lockdown.

Prolonged confinement has deepened economic difficulties of the South American nation, which faces increasing unemployment that will aggravate the current social crisis with precarious food availability for the impoverished population.