Coronavirus in Punta del Este, Uruguay

By Expat91364

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Mar 17, 2020 Update

We Asked: What is currently happening with regard to the Coronavirus outbreak in your area? Please provide as much detail as possible. The member replied...

Some travel restrictions as to who can enter the country, public gatherings canceled, school closures, social distancing sometime enforced such as banks only allowing one customer in at a time. Gym and activities restricted or cancelled

How People are Coping

We Asked: How are people handling the situation in your area? The member replied...

Quite well but it is off season and not very crowded. Where the standard greeting is kissing that has stopped and people are trying to remember to refrain from shaking hands. Movies as closed so people watch Netflix

Changing Conditions as coronavirus Spreads

We Asked: How has the situation changed as the Coronavirus has spread? The member replied...

Generally it just helps to drive down the whole concept of social distancing home. There is no panic or panic buying

Government Response

We Asked: Describe how the government of the country about which you are reporting is handling this situation. The member replied...

Fairly low key, not seeing drive through testing but cases are just starting but growing quickly. Will see where it goes as more people are proved to be infected.

Not a populous country so except for the capital social distancing is possible. Not seeing more attention to cleaning and disinfection. Unfortunately!

Government Response with Regard to Expats

We Asked: Describe how your home country's government has handled the outbreak situation with regards to its expatriate citizens. The member replied...

We got a couple email notices from the embassy but other than that nothing. More hassle entering the US now I understand. I was due to travel to my home country this week but cancelled since it is likely Uruguay will limit returns from the US and flights are being cancelled so not worth it!

Supplies and Shortages

We Asked: Is there a shortage of supplies in your location? The member replied...

Not at all. Shops are well stocked

Preparing for the Future

We Asked: What are you doing in terms of preparations in case the situation deteriorates in your location? The member replied...

Laying in some extra provisions, freezer is full, pantry is stocked (but I love to cook and eat so it always is). Filled prescriptions but beyond that nothing really to do.

Lockdown & Passing the Time

We Asked: Are you staying home? If so, how are you passing the time? The member replied...

Yes buttoned up at home. Instead of the gym we walk and do some exercise at home. Cooking, chores, cleaning up files and computer stuff.

Public Healthcare & Public Hospitals

We Asked: Are you enrolled in the public healthcare system where you live? Do you feel that the public hospitals are handling or preparing for the Coronavirus outbreak effectively? The member replied...

Couldn't say really.

Private Health Insurance & Private Hospitals

We Asked: Do you have private health insurance? If you have private insurance, does this give you access to private hospitals? Are private hospitals or clinics better prepared, less prepared, or the same? Please explain. The member replied...

My insurance gives me access to private hospitals and I can choose whichever might best suit when the time comes. Hoping it doesn’t come to that!

Hospital of Choice for Coronavirus Treatment

We Asked: Would you choose a public or private hospital if you needed treatment for Coronavirus? Why? If there is a specific hospital that you would go to in the event of severe illness? Which hospital and why? The member replied...

I would choose private as they are more modern and cleaner. Probably Cantegril in my area

Returning Home

We Asked: Are you considering returning to your home country due to the Coronavirus? Would this be a temporary move or a permanent repatriation? Please explain. The member replied...

Not considering going back as we have pets that need looking after. Besides much easier to practice social distancing here as there are so many less people in our neighborhood.