The response in Latin America

Latin America is also doing its part to deal with the coronavirus emergency.

Companies across various sectors are deploying all the necessary resources to guarantee supplies and maintain the utmost safety, and in some cases reinventing their businesses.

The Brazilian company Margrif is committed to keeping all its meat processing plants up and running. Besides Brazil, the group has plants in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and the United States which are currently operating at full capacity to guarantee supplies to local and export markets (more than 100 countries).

In Mexico, the Bimbo Group has reaffirmed its commitment to securing supplies, especially of long-life products. To do this, the company is adopting all necessary measures to ensure maximum safety for workers, including frequent room sanitisation and employee temperature monitoring procedures.

The Ambev brewery in Brazil has converted one of its factories in the state of Rio de Janeiro, which now produces hand disinfectant gel for distribution in hospitals.

The Argentine e-commerce giant Mercado Libre has cancelled commission charges for sellers of essential products during the Coronavirus emergency. The measure, in force from 17 to 31 March, will affect 252,000 cleaning and personal hygiene products, as well as non-perishable food.

In Brazil, James Delivery, owned by Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA), a subsidiary of French retail giant Casino, is offering free deliveries in an effort to encourage people to stay at home.