In the frozen and desolate expanse of Antarctica, Alejandro Valenzuela Pena is used to a feeling of isolation. Now, however, that has taken on a new meaning as the only continent still free from the coronavirus looks to keep the pandemic out.
The global spread of the disease, with almost 2 million cases and 120,000 deaths, has put the Antarctic region into lockdown, with researchers hunkering down in their bases and tourist visits canceled.
"We are trained to live in isolation, but now with this special condition that has presented itself, we are isolated within isolation," said Valenzuela, 41, who is the maritime governor of Chile's Antarctica territory.