Costa Rica: Authorities ease certain COVID-19 restrictions effective March 1 /update 31

Costa Rica eases some COVID-19 movement, business restrictions effective March 1. International travel restrictions remain unchanged.

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have eased certain movement and business restrictions, due to decreasing levels of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, effective March 1. Travel restrictions remain unchanged, including the closure of the country's land borders.

Under the new directives, motorists nationwide will be allowed to use private vehicles for nonemergency reasons for one additional hour; the daily ban on private transport use is now 2300-0500, every day of the week. Between 0500-2300, all private vehicles are allowed to circulate in most areas of the country. However, within an area known as the "restriction zone" in San Jose's downtown, private vehicles with the following license plates cannot circulate on the specified days:

Mondays: 1 and 2
Tuesdays: 3 and 4
Wednesdays: 5 and 6
Thursdays: 7 and 8
Fridays: 9 and 0

On Saturdays and Sundays, all private vehicles are allowed to circulate without restrictions, following the lift of a previous measure that limited driving to one day of the weekend.

Businesses allowed to operate must close daily 2300-0500. Beaches are still allowed to open daily 0500-1800 and national parks may open without capacity limits, while bars and casinos can operate at a maximum of 50-percent capacity.

Other restrictions remain unchanged. Authorities in Costa Rica continue to assess cantons and provinces depending on local coronavirus disease (COVID-19) risks. The system consists of four levels: low risk (green), moderate risk (yellow), high risk (orange), and extreme risk (red). As of March 1, most cantons nationwide are categorized as moderate (yellow) risk, with only the following cantons classified as high risk (orange):

San Jose Province: Santa Ana, and Tarrazu
Alajuela Province: Grecia, Los Chiles, Orotina, and Sarchi
Cartago Province: Turrialba
Heredia Province: Flores
Puntarenas Province: Corredores, Coto Brus, Garabito, Golfito, Parrita, and Quepos
Limon Province: Guacimo, Limon, Matina, Siquirres, and Talamanca

Nonessential businesses can operate nationwide following health and safety regulations. Lodging businesses can operate without capacity limits. All individuals must wear protective facemasks that cover the nose and mouth while in indoor public areas or using public transportation.

Travel Restrictions
The nation's land borders will remain closed to nonresident foreign nationals until at least April 1. This measure does not affect cargo transport. The maritime borders remain mostly closed to visitors, although certain private boats, such as sailboats, are allowed to enter. Travelers entering Costa Rica by land borders are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

All travelers, including nonresident foreign nationals, are allowed to enter Costa Rica by air regardless of their country of origin. Foreign travelers are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result prior to entering the country. However, they must still complete the required health affidavit (Health Pass) and have sufficient insurance to cover lodging and health expenses.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice, depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.