Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
Preparations have begun to turn the oldest bullring in the Americas which was built in 1766 into a shelter for homeless people to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The Acho bullring, which is a national historical monument, will be used as a shelter in the Peruvian capital Lima in order to protect the homeless population from the coronavirus, officially named COVID-19 by the World Health Organization.
Mayor of Lima Jorge Munoz told local media: “First, we have to give them a medical exam and additional care.
Munoz added they had to “make sure they are not people with addictions or illnesses that could cause other problems there.”
The Ministry of Culture showed their support for the decision saying: “We agree with the need to acclimatise this important patrimonial space so the (homeless) people can enter a protected space where they can count on minimal shelter during this time of the state of emergency and obligatory social isolation mandated by the Government.”
Local media report the bullring has been cleaned and disinfected as the government is “working as fast as possible” waiting for the “30 tonnes of furniture that is being brought by the generosity of Lima 2019” said Munoz, referring to the ring’s usage for the 2019 Pan American Games.
The ring will be able to house around 130 people.
The news was not well-received by all as the Cultural Taurine Association in Lima filed a complaint against the Ministry of Culture.
The complaint reportedly said there are other public spaces “better-suited and ready to be occupied.”
The taurine association added the area may have unintended consequences as the ring is used to kill bulls and may contain bacteria.
Despite the complaint, the project is set to move forward however it is unclear when the ring is set to open its doors to the homeless.
The Acho bullring was opened in January of 1766 making it one of the oldest in the world and the oldest in the Americas.
It was used for the 2019 Pan American Games celebrated in the city and is a national historical monument.
According to the latest figures from the Johns Hopkins University Peru has reported 1,065 cases of COVID-19 and 30 deaths.
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