Brazil, Paraguay partly reopen borders for trade

Brazil and Paraguay decided to resume business between the border cities of Foz do Iguaçu, Mundo Novo, Ponta Porã, on the Brazilian side, and Ciudad del Este, Salto del Guairá, and Pedro Juan Caballero, in Paraguay, respectively.

The two countries signed a bilateral document on Wednesday (Sep. 16) allowing the partial resumption of commerce.

The agreement includes the creation of trade spots near borders in each country. In addition, it stipulates procedures for purchases to be made by citizens in these cities. Customs and sanitation requirements introduced by each country must be observed.

The two countries had shut down borders in March due to the expansion of the novel coronavirus in the continent.

According to the Health Ministry in Paraguay, the country has 29,298 people infected the disease and 552 dead from COVID-19. In Brazil, cases amount to 4.4 million and the death toll stands at 134.1 thousand.