For those who have been following the situation in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria—which left 30,000 people still living with blue tarp roofs—and through the devastating series of earthquakes which left thousands of people homeless and living in tents, the island is now facing yet another tragedy : the arrival of the coronavirus. According to Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, five cases have been confirmed.
Vazquez said one of the cases involved a local man who had relatives who traveled off the island. At least two cases are tourists from northern Italy who arrived on a cruise ship.
As a result, the governor has announced an island-wide curfew.
Puerto Rico imposes curfew, shuts businesses to combat coronavirus
Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced on Sunday announced an island-wide curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
Her executive order also shuts down non-essential businesses, with the exception of food stores, pharmacies, gas stations, banking or financial institutions and others related to the distribution of food, medicine, medical items or fuel.
The order applies to shopping malls, concert halls, theaters, gyms, gaming halls, casinos or other places that encourage group gatherings.
Live stream announcement — in Spanish.
The New York Times reports:
Chiding Puerto Ricans for failing to heed warnings to stay home and observe social distancing, Gov. Wanda Vázquez signed an executive order instituting a two-week closure for the majority of businesses on the island, and a 9 p.m. overnight curfew through March 30.
The only exceptions to the closure orders are supermarkets; restaurants offering carryout or delivery; pharmacies; medical equipment stores; gas stations and banks, along with suppliers to those businesses. Violators of the lockdown order could face a fine of up to $5,000 or six months in jail.
CBS reporter David Begnaud has been providing updates, and translations.
Some major causes for concern are laid out here.
I will continue to post daily Puerto Rico Twitter updates in Abbreviated Pundit Roundup comments.