Bogota Is Hers on Even Days, His on Odds Days During  Lockdown

(Bloomberg) -- Bogota is making it easier for police to make sure citizens are complying with a lockdown: on even days women can go out to buy basic necessities such as food and medicine, on odd days just men.

The nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus that started in Colombia March 25 was initially set to end this Sunday but was extended through April 26.

The new gender restrictions, which start this Monday, make it easier for police to identify who is violating the lockdown, Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez told reporters, adding that 75% of citizens have been complying. Those who don’t, face fines of as much as 1 million pesos ($250).

For transgender people, the restriction is determined by the gender they identify with, according to the decree published by Lopez’s office. It also limits the purchase of alcoholic beverages to one bottle.

Peru and Panama imposed similar gender limits to stem the spread of Covid-19. Health workers, and people who work in activities including deliveries, public utilities and the supply of food don’t face the restrictions.

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