The Government of Buenos Aires Province is studying the possibility of reopening some industries in a bid to reactivate the economy and avoid deepening the financial crisis that Argentina was already facing before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the activities that would resume operations are horse racing and lotteries.
As estimated by the Provincial Institute of Lottery and Casinos (IPLyC) of Buenos Aires, racetracks could reopen their doors on May 18, while lottery draws could restart as soon as this Friday. Casinos and bingos will remain closed until further notice, as they attract greater numbers of the public than other facilities.
The regulator, along with industry representatives, will be required to develop a sanitary protocol to establish the steps necessary to safeguard public health. Then, the plan must be approved by the Governor Axel Kicillof, who has said that it will be very strict, as “it must include how workers have to equip themselves, establish their shifts, a safe distance and what precautions must be taken for them to be able to get to work.”
“The main goal is to reactivate some sectors and gradually go to work. The Province is going to focus on taking care of those jobs,” he added.
“We want to be very careful because a small error can be paid with lives. We have to look carefully at the results of each step that we take.”
Buenos Aires first limited access to racecourses to 200 people at a time back in the second week of March, but authorities decided to stop all gambling activity to follow the mandatory quarantine established by the national government.
