Peru’s government ordered millions of schoolchildren to stay home next week to maintain the streets of Lima clear for visiting world leaders.
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are among those in attendance to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, or Apec.
In a decree published in the Official Gazette on Friday, the government said that schools will be closed and all classes will be held virtually, while public employees will also have to work from home starting Monday.
The government also urged private employees to stay home. The days from November 14 to 16, the central dates of the summit, have been declared public holidays. The measures also affect the city of Chancay, which Xi will visit to inaugurate his new port built by China.
The decree said it was necessary to keep students and workers at home “for the attention and safety of the leaders of the APEC economies.”
Peruvian President Dina Boluarte fights against a 4% approval rating, one of the lowest in the worldat the same time that he will receive some of the most powerful leaders in the world.
The high profile of the Apec conference has created additional headaches for the troubled Peruvian government. Transport workers are threatening to strike and protest next week, as part of a long battle against extortion rings that have led to the deaths of several drivers. The government has asked them not to strike, but has so far failed to improve their security.
Airport controllers also threatened a strike earlier this week, which was averted after the government acceded to their demands, but not before thousands of passengers suffered flight disruptions.
