As fear surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, Bolivia followed in the footsteps of other countries as it announced that it will postpone its presidential elections originally scheduled for May 3. The country also announced that it will institute a mandatory countrywide 14-day quarantine period as part of its measures to curb the spread of the disease across the country.

The interim government in Bolivia, through the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), made the announcement after consultations with health departments in the country.

“This measure and the consequence of an unprecedented situation in the world prevents the electoral body from continuing to carry out the preparatory tasks for the Election Day that was set for Sunday, May 3,” the Tribunal said in a statement.

All the presidential candidates have suspended campaigns for almost 15 days and have cut back on releasing political statements on social media, where the main topic of discussion has been the spread of the virus in Bolivia. Also, the social media space in the country has been overrun with discussions about a lockdown ordered by the de facto government led by Jeanine Anez that includes a stay-at-home command, a halt to international flights and the prohibition of events.

In what she referred to as a “tough but necessary decision,” Anez announced that the quarantine measure would kick off on Sunday and will last up until April 4. She stated that while supermarkets, hospitals, banks, and pharmacies will continue to operate as normal, the country’s borders will remain closed and all international flights cancelled. The government will also see to the provision of cash payments to needy families with children starting in April, she announced.

While a new date is yet to be announced, the tribunal said it will work together with all of the country’s political parties and organisations to determine when to hold the election.

As of Sunday, Bolivia currently has 19 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Covid-19.