Armed forces enforce lockdown in Latin America

Some countries in Latin America have called in their armies and police force for tasks on containment, health support or manufacturing tasks.

Carabineros police force and the Chilean Army are in charge of checkpoints in Santiago, where most cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in the country.

Several municipalities in Santiago are under strict quarantine since Thursday, where  commuting and other traffic is permitted only by letters of safe-conduct inspected by the security force officials.

Safe-conducts are granted for several exceptions including medical appointments, buying food, tending to sick people and walking pets.

Officers in the Logistics Command of the Colombian Army have shifted their labor into manufacturing health items.

Soldiers are in charge of a 50,000 face masks delivery into poor neighborhoods around the country, a task that the army estimates it can fulfill in the coming weeks.

In Brazil, states and municipalities have taken the policies into their own hands as the national government is opposed to a lockdown.

As beaches and other tourist spots are closed in Rio de Janeiro, fewer people than normal are seen in the streets, but the more relaxed approach that other Latin American countries to the containment ensure a reduced daily life in the city.

Rio de Janeiro is still under a declared state of emergency.

On Friday Brazil led the number of contagions in Latin America with 3,417, while Chile has 1605 and Colombia 539.

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.