Coronavirus: Regional leaders agree to facilitate return of citizens

The countries of the Forum for the Progress and Development of South America (Prosul) announced on Tuesday, 17, common measures to deal with the pandemic of the new coronavirus . Among the joint actions established is the development and implementation of policies that facilitate the transit and return of nationals of States in the region to their countries of residence or origin.

The region's heads of state participated on Monday 16 in a conference call to discuss their plans. President Jair Bolsonaro decided not to attend the meeting and was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ernesto Araújo.

After the meeting, Prosul released a statement on Tuesday informing the main decisions taken. The countries of the group - Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru - agreed to share information on the circulation restrictions implemented and on the experiences, campaigns and materials implemented that contribute to the creation of public policies and the adoption of measures mitigating the epidemic and spreading false news.

The communiqué also talks about promoting the “elaboration and implementation of policies, plans and actions that facilitate the transit and the return of the nationals of the States of the region to their countries of residence or origin”. For the measure to be implemented, the countries propose that their ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Health, Transport and other competent institutions work together, but with “full respect for the sovereignty and the legal system in force in each country”. Several representatives of the region participated in the video conference this Monday, including Presidents Alberto Fernández (Argentina), Martín Vizcarra (Peru), Mario Abdo Benítez (Paraguay), Sebastián Piñera (Chile), Lenín Moreno (Ecuador), Ivan Duque (Colombia) and Jeanine Añez (Bolivia). Bolivia participates in Prosul as an observer state.