New Peruvian cabinet sworn in amid pandemic

Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra swore in a new ministerial cabinet on Wednesday, including an infected and quarantined minister who took her oath online.

The change in the ministerial team, one year before the end of Vizcarra's term, came as Peru struggled to contain a new upsurge in coronavirus cases.

Vizcarra appointed Pedro Cateriano, an experienced centrist politician, as prime minister.

The ceremony in the golden hall of the presidential palace was far from usual.

There were no hugs, kisses, and handshakes. Everyone wore face masks, including Vizcarra.

Vizcarra swore in the new Foreign Trade Minister Rocío Barrios, who is in quarantine currently infected with the virus.

She took her oath online from her home.

Also sworn in online was the new Minister of Development and Social Inclusion, Patricia Donayre, because she was not in Lima.

Peru has reported a third of a million coronavirus cases, the highest total in Latin America after Brazil. More than 12,000 people have died.