In his Thursday speech, he referred to a series of measures to avoid speculation, hoarding and the rise in the price of basic products such as hygiene articles, whose acquisition will be regulated along with food, and in support of these supplies, the State will buy US$20 million in meats and grains to complement the national productions.

The president also ordered to establish agile mechanisms to obtain the sanitary records of the medical products that require it and the importation exempt from tariffs of medicines and supplies necessary to face the epidemic.

Cortizo explained that he asked Labor Minister Doris Zapata to ease labor regulations so that companies can adapt the sessions to the nature of each establishment and said that he asked private companies to use telework to keep largest number of people home.

Another measure announced by the president was that the Ministry of Economy defer tax payments for those who avail themselves of such benefits, with the aim of keeping all workers currently hired.

Then, during a press briefing led by Health Minister Rosario Turner, the epidemiological situation was updated, which until 16:00 local time, about 27 confirmed cases with the virus were reported.

Of those patients, one died on March 8, two are in an intensive care unit, another three remain hospitalized and the rest are in home isolation; while 3,800 people are being monitored due to the possibility of contacts with infested people or travelers who come from countries hardest hit by the coronavirus.