People wearing face masks are seen in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 17, 2020. (Photo by Martin Zabala/Xinhua)

 
Argentine President Alberto Fernandez on Monday called for reflection by all residents while noting "so much carelessness" during social gatherings for end of year celebrations amid the novel coronavirus disease.

"We must understand that the virus is still circulating among us," he told the state news agency Telam.

"This Christmas I saw so much carelessness in squares and other places. I call on all of you to reflect. The problem has not been overcome here or anywhere else in the world," he said, emphasizing that the population must be more vigilant in order to avoid the spread of the disease.

Argentina registered its first case of COVID-19 on March 3 and it had recorded over 1,583,000 cases and 42,650 deaths.

The social, preventive and obligatory distancing measures ordered by the Argentine government to control the pandemic will last until Jan. 31.