By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Chile Ministry of Health reported 1,597 new cases of COVID-19 in the country with 6 regions that saw their new cases decrease in the last 7 days and 11 regions in the last 14 days.

The rate of PCR positivity in the Metropolitan Region remains low, at 2%, while the degree of occupancy of ICU beds due to COVID-19 is stabilized at 38%.

“Regardless of whether the commune is in quarantine or advancing in the Step by Step Plan the people must maintain preventive measures against COVID-19 “, said the Minister of Health, Enrique Paris.

The minister reported that the regions with the highest increase in new confirmed cases in the last 7 days are: Atacama, Ñuble, Tarapacá and Los Ríos.

Of the 1,597 new cases of COVID-19, 545 are asymptomatic people and 1,029 of  those who have presented with symptoms.

The total number of people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the country has reached 531,273. 14,819 deaths have been recorded.

On Friday, the Undersecretary of the Interior, Juan Francisco Galli, together with the Undersecretary of Public Health, Paula Daza, announced the Step-by-Step Border Opening Plan, which includes three fundamental pillars: gradualness, security and traceability.

As of November 23 at 00:00, foreigners may enter the country only through the Arturo Merino Benítez airport, complying with all health requirements. “On March 18 we closed the borders to any Chilean or non-resident foreigner in our country. Our country took measures that were consistent with protecting the right of Chileans and residents who could return to our country. As progress has been made, the President has provided flexibility for the borders solely and exclusively through the Arturo Merino Benítez airport, subject to restrictive and sanitary measures, ”explained Undersecretary Galli.

Undersecretary Paula Daza explained that all foreigners in order to board a plane and arrive in Chile must meet three requirements: a PCR taken 72 hours before boarding the plane, a mandatory health insurance that covers the benefits associated with COVID-19 and their Health Passport that they must complete at www.c19.cl

However, during the first two weeks of opening of this border, between November 23 and December 7, foreigners who come from countries with community transmission, according to the WHO classification, will have to keep a 14-day quarantine in the country. This list is published weekly on its website by the World Health Organization.

During their stay, in addition, foreigners must, compulsorily, complete their health status and place where they are for 14 days on a platform that will be announced next week. “This has to do with the pillar of the traceability plan. We need to know how and where the people who enter are, ”said the undersecretary.

In this sense, the health authority explained that, “not complying with the mandatory monitoring for 14 days can risk serious penalties for foreigners who do not do so. Not only do you risk fines according to the Sanitary Code, you can also be taken to a Sanitary Residence whose costs will have to be self-financed and even expulsion to your country of origin.

Any foreigner who enters the country must comply with the country’s sanitary measures such as use of a mask, prohibition of circulating in quarantined communes or respect for the curfew.