According to a doctor and a member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Javier Nieto, this scenario will undoubtedly be the “great challenge” after more than 70 days of quarantine in the country. "Citizens are focused on how to avoid the virus and now everyone owns their destiny," he said.

For Nieto, both citizens, companies and health authorities have shared responsibilities in what lies ahead. For example, he referred that the population over the age of 60 and with certain chronic diseases, should work remotely.

Regarding the age group between 20 and 50 years, which represents 76% of infections, should carefully follow the sanitary guidelines after re-opening.

Some doubts

The new night time curfew starting next Monday from 7:00 pm until 5:00 am, will clash with the schedule of many workers who at that time are leaving their workplaces, warned the president of the Industrial Union, Aldo Mangravita.

The employers believe that the curfew should start later. They have raised it with the Government, because it will affect the employees of some industries more than others.

Aldo Mangravita explained that workers in the food industry have certain safe conducts, but the minister had informed them that as of Monday they are no longer valid. This should be clarified, he added.

Working close to the vires is the big challenge

The opening of block 2 of economic activities, which includes public works, non-metallic mining, industry, churches and parks, poses several challenges for workers, businessmen and health authorities.

For workers and the general population that will rejoin the labor market and carry out activities in public spaces, the challenge is clear: comply with the sanitary measures recommended by the health authorities during quarantine, such as hand washing, use of the mask, among others.

According to Javier Nieto, each one has a great responsibility. “The only way to mitigate a potential regrowth is going to be up to you. Remember that it is not the end of the game. It is just the beginning. Failure to assume responsible re-opening will make us return to the quarantine," he said.

For Nieto, risk factors such as advanced age and diseases, hypertension or diabetes, play an important role before the opening of block 2 of economic activities.

In some cases, such as those of middle-aged people (under 60 years old) and older adults (over 60 years old), they should mitigate exposure to the virus or consider working via telework. "People over 60 and with the diseases mentioned should work from home as much as possible," he said.

Regarding the population between 20 and 59 years, he argued, that it is not a group most likely to die from the coronavirus, but is likely to spread and carry the virus to their homes, where there are possibly people over 60 years of age. “After these 70 days of quarantine, citizens are ready to take care of themselves. Now everyone owns their destiny," said Nieto.

Data from the Ministry of Health show that three out of every four deaths from coronavirus correspond to those over 60 years of age, but these same figures indicate that the population between 20 and 59 years of age accounts for 76% of all cases, 57% of hospitalized patients and just over 25% of deaths.

When it comes to companies, he said that it is important to comply with Minsa's instructions and provide the workers with the required inputs for their daily hygiene.

In fact, as part of the guidelines created by the Ministry for companies to return to operate, special hours were established, restriction on the number of people and other modalities such as working remotely.

For example, for face-to-face roles, the Minsa requests to avoid personnel from vulnerable groups (adult collaborators over 60 years of age, workers with chronic illness, pregnant women, etc.) for which the modality of teleworking may be considered. In turn, the return to work will be gradual and scheduled, for which special hours can be established so that there are no interlocking shifts, thus reducing the risk. In the case of vulnerable workers they can make use of accumulated vacations.

According to Jorge Luis Prosperi, former representative of the World Health Organization, as physical contact increases and the age also increases the risk.

His conclusion was direct: “if we follow all the recommendations, the risk of getting sick is minimal. As we go out of quarantine we will feel confident, but overconfidence can kill us.”