Pandemic cancels Argentina's whale watching season

Groups of humpback whales frolic just off coast of sourn Argentina, but this year re are only a handful of people on shore watching.

Like rest of South American country, Puerto Piramide, a famous whale watching tourist spot, has been closed since March, shut down because of coronavirus pandemic.

200 residents all make ir livings exclusively from tourists that flock here to get a glimpse of marine giants up close and personal, be it from a guided boat tour or standing on beach, and this year is gearing up to be an ecomic catastrophe.

" tour guides are floundering and without any means of income," said Maria Leoni Gaffet, a whale watching tour guide.

Almost all of people who work in whale watching industry here are freelance workers who most likely won't make any money until at least next season which begins July 2021.

Argentine government h extended a zero interest line of credit which residents have to pay back and a few have been eligible for a small one-time payment of 50 thousand pesos (77 US dollars).

In town, employees at Peke Sosa, a whale watching business that has been up and running re for 50 years, said y didn't kw if y would open.

national or international flights are scheduled for at least next two months, making likelihood tourist will arrive anytime soon thing but a pleasant thought for residents.

According to a Johns Hopkins University tally on Wednesday, Argentina h reported over 305,966 COVID-19 cases and more than 6,000 deaths.