Dear LCO collaborators,
Today, the Ministerio de Salud reported 1,764 new cases of COVID-19, with a total of 424,274 infections since the arrival of the coronavirus in Chile. In the Coquimbo Region, according to authorities, there are 10,588 total accumulated cases, 96 of them new and 810 active, with 159 deaths in total.
Due to the maintenance of the quarantine in the communes of Coquimbo, La Serena and Ovalle, we have decided to extend the closure of the Las Campanas Observatory until October 5, 2020. Given the length of the closure, we are exploring alternative ways to reopen parts of the Observatory and will provide more details on these plans and an update on the closure in a few weeks.
The Las Campanas Observatory will remain closed and operate under the "Reopening Phase A". This phase will be maintained as long as the quarantine remains in place and during this period only essential operations will be conducted on site at both El Pino and Montaña.
I hope that all of you and your families will remain healthy. I reiterate the request to complete the Health Report daily and contact your headquarters in case of contagion, own or nearby, of COVID-19.
Greetings,
Leopoldo Infante Lira
Director Las Campanas Observatory