Chile Safe Return Plan aims to move to 'new normal'

Subject

Plans for gradual reopening in Chile.

Significance

On April 24, President Sebastian Pinera announced the country’s Safe Return Plan under which it will transition to the “new normal”, following a relatively successful targeted lockdown strategy to control the COVID-19 outbreak. The government stresses that the coronavirus will affect daily life for the foreseeable future but is seeking to reopen schools and the economy while maintaining infection prevention measures.

Impacts

• Dampened by the pandemic, social protests are likely to gather force again as restrictions are lifted.
• Reopening businesses would support the Central Bank’s forecast that the economy will pick up in the third quarter.
• Successful handling of the pandemic offers Pinera a chance to improve his battered image.