1. Government extends preventative and mandatory social isolation

By means of Decree 355/20, the Fernández administration extended preventative and mandatory social isolation measures through April 26^th. President Alberto Fernández announced the news via press conference, where he also presented an epidemiological study of the pandemic’s status in Argentina. Additionally, through Decree 365/2020, the government extended the ban on non-resident foreigners entering the country through April 26^th.

El Cronista: Coronavirus: el Gobierno extendió la cuarentena hasta el 26 de abril

2. INDEC reports March inflation figure of 3.3%

The Argentine statistical agency (INDEC) published its Consumer Price Index – the official measure of inflation in the country – which registered a figure of 3.3% in March. Over the past 12 months, inflation has reached 48.4%, and 7.8% in the first quarter of 2020. The beginning of the school year produced a 17.5% increase in prices of the education sector, meanwhile the communications sector experienced a 7.8% price hike. The clothing and food and beverage sectors also experienced price increases of 3.9%.

Ámbito Financiero: Oficial: la inflación de marzo se aceleró al 3,3%

3. Government presents debt restructuring plan

Economy Minister Martín Guzmán, alongside President Alberto Fernández and Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and provincial governors, presented a proposal for the restructuring of public debt that hopes to postpone payments on foreign bonds through 2023, lowering total payment by 5.4% (USD $3.6 billion) and a 62% reduction in the payment of interest (USD $37.9 billion).

La Nación: Deuda. Quitas de hasta 62% y un período de gracia de tres años, la oferta de Guzmán

4. The use of facemask is mandatory in the City and Province of Buenos Aires

Through Joint Resolution 15/2020, published in the Argentine capital’s official bulletin, the government officialized the mandatory use of facemasks on April 15^th. The government also prohibited the sale of N95 masks to any person not in the health services sector. Moreover, the province of Buenos Aires will mandate the same, beginning on Monday, April 20^th, according to Cabinet Chief Carlos Bianco and Health Minister Daniel Gollan.

El Cronista: Desde hoy es obligatorio el uso de tapabocas en la Ciudad

5. First donations of medical supplies from China arrive in Buenos Aires

On Monday, the first shipment of medical supplies to mitigate the effects of Covid-19 arrived from China. The donations came as a result of recent correspondence between President Alberto Fernández and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.  Additionally, the president received the Chinese ambassador Zou Xiaoli at his residence in Olivos, where the two agreed on the donation of the supplies. The Argentine government has assured that it is still awaiting 1,500 respirators promised by Xi Jinping, that have not arrived due to logistical issues.

Infobae: Argentina empezó a recibir más donaciones sanitarias de China pero aún esperan 1.500 respiradores