Lorenzo González endorses the inauguration of Pedro Pierluisi with 400 guests: “The governor has priority”

Despite multiple criticisms of the inauguration ceremony of elected Governor Pedro Pierluisi, the outgoing Health Minister, Lorenzo Gonzalez, this Wednesday endorsed the event that will have at least 400 guests in the midst of the pandemic of COVID-19.

The official defended that the activity on the steps of the Capitol next Saturday, Jan. 2, has the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, Antonio Pabón, and his agency.

He also claimed that, in view of the change of the executive order, “The governor has priority”.

“We must present a government in force,” he said. “We must project Puerto Rico as a country of order”He added in a radio interview (Radio Isla 1320 AM).

When asked if such activity seems appropriate amid the virus restrictions, the secretary said Pierluisi’s work team has taken the necessary precautions.

“Certainly there is physical distance and it will be a time-bound activity and not the 3,000 people who normally ask for a negative test. They have two elements, as we have done in other activities, where more people go than is allowed. “, established.

“If we go to a ‘shopping center’, we will see over 400 people walking in the common area, so everything is limited in terms of time,” he added when asked about the gathering of hundreds of guests.

González also claimed that Pierluisi has “the right” to take office, as previous presidents have done. The elected governor for his part defended the event yesterday by stating that “there will always be someone to criticize”.

Meanwhile, the secretary indicated that Health will run the contact tracking process if there is a positive case for the virus in the case.

“The tracking is done in this process, people know that. All of these people who come to these types of activities are trained, aware, recognize symptoms and can generate a response. People coming here from other countries know that they have to bring the evidence and in the same way they have to quarantine upon arrival in their country ”, established.

González argued that this is not the only activity with an agglomeration of people that the government has authorized. He recalled that the authorities recently authorized the realization of a boxing card and the National Superior Basketball Bubble (BSN).

Given that, he said that if any person or entity requests to host an event similar to the inauguration, “it should be judged in context.”