BUENOS AIRES, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Argentines overwhelmingly approve of the steps the government has taken to contain the COVID-19 epidemic, including a mandatory 24-day quarantine, closing schools and sealing the country's borders.
President Alberto Fernandez's administration imposed preventive, obligatory social distancing measures starting March 20 and initially through March 31, though it later extended the lockdown until April 12.
"We have to point out that the government responded well, decreeing a nationwide quarantine when the first cases of the disease emerged," political observer and academic Patricio Giusto told Xinhua.
"The effort behind this total lockdown was necessary. The big challenge moving forward is to gradually restart the economy, which was already in a very critical state," said Giusto, head of the Sino-Argentine Watch and a visiting professor at the University of Zhejiang, in China.
Jesica Leon, a lawyer and professor, agrees.
"In general, the government decision regarding the quarantine is the right one. It took action based not only on the local, but the global data and situation," said Leon.
Closing the borders "is sad, but I totally agree with that measure, because it is one of the ways of preventing the disease from circulating," Leon added.
However, she feels officials could be doing a better job at moving the physical classroom online, so students can keep up with their studies.
"The way that is being done is not the most adequate, because there are students with either too much or too little activity, depending on the region. Not all teachers or students have the same opportunities to access (online material). This disorganization creates frustration among pupils and professors," said Leon.
A recent survey by pollster Poliarquia showed as much as 89 percent of the population agrees with the decision to extend the quarantine, while 82 percent approves of the president's performance during the epidemic.
A different poll, by consulting firm Reputacion Digital, showed 78.1 percent of Argentines support extending the quarantine, while 21.9 percent are against the measure.
Retiree Jorge Rivas said the lockdown "doesn't demand anything more from us than to stay at home, and I am doing that with the tranquility of knowing that doing my part can be my best contribution."
Paola de Simone, a lawyer and post-graduate student at the University of Buenos Aires, said she was concerned that a prolonged lockdown could have a bigger impact on the economy.
"The quarantine is excessive and very long, and I wonder whether it will harm our economy even more," said De Simone.
Argentina's latest report puts the number of confirmed coronavirus cases at 1,554, including 48 deaths from the disease and 280 patients who have recovered.
