Peru military to enforce Christmas, New Year lockdown measures

Lima, Dec 19 (IANS) Peruvian Army troops will be deployed to enforce restrictions on Christmas and New Year, as part of lockdown measures aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In a statement on Friday, Carlos Malaver, chief of the Transit and Roadway Safety, said that private vehicles will be banned from plying on the roads on December 24-25 and 31 and on January 1, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The police and the armed forces will be located at strategic points," Malaver told a local radio station.

The move is designed to prevent an increase in cases over the holidays, as streets are bustling with shoppers.

According to the Ministry of Health, a total of 991,518 cases have so far been reported nationwide with 36,901 deaths.