On March 26,  the Peruvian Congress passed a bill handing over the power to legislate on health matters, fiscal and tax policy to the Executive branch, for 45 days. This also includes measures to promote public investment aimed at reactivating private and public-private investment projects in the context of the health emergency caused by COVID-19. The regulations will come into force as of their enactment in the Official Gazette.

The modifications made to the bill during the plenary session include a reduction in the time during which power will be transferred from 60 to 45 days. However, the point that caused the most controversy among legislators was Article 11, which allowed the Comptroller General’s Office to apply concurrent and post-purchase control to acquisitions and investments being made in the framework of the current health emergency. The congressmen decided to eliminate this since it “had no strict relation” to the crisis.

On the other hand, Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra announced the extension of the State of Emergency until Sunday, April 12. Vizcarra indicated that 580 cases of infection had already been registered, which he said justified the extension.