国际英语新闻:Chileans to vote in October plebiscite despite possible resurgence of COVID-19

SANTIAGO, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chile's scheduled October plebiscite on redrafting the Constitution will take place as planned despite a possible resurgence in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases due to national holiday celebrations between Sept. 17 and 19, Health Minister Enrique Paris said on Wednesday.

"What happens over the weekend can in no way change the issue of the plebiscite," Paris told reporters at a press conference.

The poll should be carried out "under the best possible sanitary conditions," he added.

On Oct. 25, Chileans will vote on whether or not to draft a new constitution.

For the coming weekend holiday, "the most important thing is that people take care of themselves, that they respect the rules, that we have a family celebration" instead of attending large gatherings with strangers, said Paris.

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday reported 1,305 new daily cases of COVID-19 infection, taking the total caseload to 439,287, while 18 more patient deaths in the past 24 hours pushed the death toll to 12,058.

Chile has made headway in containing the pandemic, said Paris, urging residents to not risk "all these achievements during the national holidays."