More than 60 detained for violating health regulations left the protests in Plaza Baquedano

More than 60 people were arrested this afternoon for violating the current sanitary norm, in the framework of the Covid-19 pandemic, after leading protests in the Plaza Baquedano sector, which began around 18:00 on Monday.

This, in the context of the State of Constitutional Exception of Catastrophe in force since last March 19, and which prohibits the gathering of more than 50 people to prevent the spread of the virus.

This was confirmed by Colonel Raúl Solís, deputy prefect of the Oriente Prefecture Services: “there were more than 60 arrests for infraction for violation of article 318 of the Penal Code, for violating the sanitary norm.” “They are putting the safety of all citizens at risk by not abiding by these rules,” he said.

He added that about 200 people gathered in the sector, which were dispersed by FF.EE. personnel, using the shuttle car.

Asked about complaints on social networks that indicate that some of the protesters had their masks removed at the time of their arrest, Colonel Solís stated that “we are the ones who demand that the rules be complied with, it is laughable that these people are arguing that we remove the protection elements. That is impossible, we would put the safety of our people at risk ”

At around 8:00 p.m., Carabineros reported that vehicular traffic had been restored in the area, after it had been disrupted by the protests.

Previously, it had been reported that the incidents near the plaza led to the deviation of public transport buses that traveled along the Alameda Providencia axis on Monday afternoon.

Routes 513, 516 and 519 of the Metbus company were affected.

On the other hand, Colonel Raúl Solís indicated that in the last hours there have been attacks against the 43 Deputy Commissioner in Peñalolén, located in the Lo Hermida sector.

“It is not a matter of demonstrations, there are attacks directly on police personnel. They have been the object of attacks with incendiary devices, there are shots in the sector. The personnel of the Prefecture for the Control of Public Order and the specialized means that we have deployed in the place are proceeding, ”he said.