Coronavirus: Peru implements days out for men and women only

South American country is on lockdown till April 12

Soldiers check the documents of a man during the start of curfew in Lima, Peru, on April 2, 2020. AP Photo

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra has introduced a new measure restricting public movement by gender, as the country tries to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.

Men will be allowed to leave their homes on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, while women can go outdoors on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

No one is allowed out on Sundays.

Mr Vizcarra said the restrictions would apply until April 12, the original end date to a lockdown he imposed on March 16.

"We have 10 days left, let's make this extra effort to control this disease," he said on Thursday.

Panama announced a similar measure on Monday that went into effect two days later and will last for 15 days.

By Thursday, Peru had recorded just over 1,400 coronavirus cases and 55 deaths.

Mr Vizcarra said the new measure aims to reduce by half the number of people circulating in public at any one time.

"The [existing] control measures have given good results, but not what was hoped for," said Vizcarra.

The restrictions do not apply to people employed in essential services, such as grocery stores, banks, pharmacies and hospitals.