( National File )
In Chile, citizens and stranded tourists must obtain something called a “safe conduct pass” online to gain permission from the government to buy necessary groceries, and are only allowed to do it twice per week, and then only allowed to shop between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on those days. Video has surfaced appearing to show a woman, who is reportedly 100 years old, being turned away from a grocery store for not having the required paperwork.
“An adult over 100 years old is prevented from buying food in a ‘LIDER’ supermarket for not having her temporary permit,” wrote Chilean radio station Radio Villa Fancia in Spanish. “Unfortunately government measures are not intended for the most vulnerable, not everyone handles the technology, not everyone has access to the internet.”
In the video, the elderly woman, wearing a mask and using a cane to walk, is seen attempting to speak to a cashier as security stands nearby. Multiple security officers begin walking slowly around the woman as she attempts to navigate the story, with one speaking to the person recording the video unintelligibly through their mask.
Adulta mayor de 100 años es impedida de comprar alimentos en un supermercado "LIDER" por no portar su permiso temporal. Lamentablemente las medidas del gobierno no son pensadas para los mas vulnerables, no todxs manejan la tecnología, no todxs tienen acceso a internet. pic.twitter.com/HrgdC7BpgM — Radio Villa Francia (@rvfradiopopular) April 10, 2021
According to an online police resource in Chile, “Displacement Permits are temporary instruments that authorize people to carry out fundamental activities and stock up on essential goods and services, in communes that are under sanitary quarantine or another stage of the ‘step by step’ program.” The resource explains, “In sectors or localities that are in the Quarantine Pass, a maximum of two (02) permits per week may be requested (Monday to Sunday). In sectors or localities that are in any other Pass, a maximum of one permit may be requested each week.”
National File was unable to ascertain whether the permits were only available to Chileans with access to the Internet. It stands to reason that the centenarian would likely not have access to the Internet, or be familiar enough with using it to apply for a temporary pass.