Costa Rica: Authorities to tighten COVID-19 in Central Region from May 3 /update 34

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have issued orders to tighten movement and business restrictions in Central Region from May 3, due to increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

Under the new directives, all nonessential businesses must close in-person services in the country's Central Region May 3-9. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, health centers, hotels, banks and funeral homes may open; other establishments may offer delivery services. Additionally in Central Region May 3-31, the use of private vehicles will be restricted certain days, depending on the last number of a vehicle's license plate, according to the following schedule:

Mondays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 1 and 2 cannot circulate
Tuesdays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 3 and 4 cannot circulate
Wednesdays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 5 and 6 cannot circulate
Thursdays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 7 and 8 cannot circulate
Fridays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 9 and cannot circulate

The Central Region includes the following cantons:

Province of San Jose: San Jose, Escazu, Desamparados, Aserri, Mora, Goicoechea, Santa Ana, Alajuelita, Vasquez de Coronador, Tibas, Moravia, Montes de Oca, Curridabat, Puriscal, Tarrazu, Acosta, Turrubares, Dota and Leon Cortes.
Province of Alajuela: Alajuela, Poas, Atenas, Grecia, Sarchi, Palmares, Naranjo, San Ramon and Alfaro Ruiz.
Province of Cartago: Cartago, Paraiso, La Union, Alvarado, Oreamuno, Jimenez, Turrialba and El Guarco.
Province of Heredia: Heredia, Barva, Santo Domingo, Santa Barbara, San Rafael, San Isidro, Belen, Flores, and San Pablo.

Other nationwide measures remain unchanged. Motorists are banned from using private transport 21:00-05:00. Businesses will only be able to operate 05:00-21:000 daily. Additionally, on the weekends, authorities are also implementing restrictions on private vehicles nationwide. On Saturdays, only vehicles with license plates ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 are allowed to operate. On Sundays, only vehicles with license plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will be permitted on roads.

Beaches can open daily 05:00-18:00. National parks may open without capacity limits, while bars and casinos can operate at a maximum of 50-percent capacity. 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. Mass gathering events remain banned.

Authorities in Costa Rica continue to categorize individual cantons depending on local COVID-19 transmission risk using a four-tier color-coded system. The specific tiers are low risk (green), moderate risk (yellow), high risk (orange), and extreme risk (red). As of April 30, most cantons nationwide are at the high (orange) risk level:

San Jose Province: Alajuelita, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazu, Goicoechea, Leon Cortes, Montes de Oca, Moravia, Perez Zeledon, San Jose, Santa Ana, Tarrazu, Tibas, and Vazquez de Coronado.
Alajuela Province: Alajuela, Grecia, Guatuso, Los Chiles, Naranjo, Palmares, Poas, Orotina, San Carlos, San Ramon, and Zarcero.
Cartago Province: Cartago, Jimenez, La Union, Paraiso and Turrialba.
Heredia Province: Barva, Belen, Heredia, San Isidro, San Pablo, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, and Santo Domingo.
Puntarenas Province: Buenos Aires, Garabito, Montes de Oca, Osa, Parrita, Puntarenas, and Quepos.
Limon Province: Guacimo, Limon, Matina, Pococi and Talamanca.
Guanacaste Province: Carrillo, Nandayure, and Santa Cruz.

International Travel Restrictions
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.

The nation's land borders reopened for nonresident foreign nationals on April 5. Visitors must complete the government Health Pass and have sufficient insurance to cover any potential health expenses. Travelers entering Costa Rica, including residents, are no longer required to self-quarantine upon arrival. The maritime borders remain mostly closed to visitors, although certain private boats are allowed to enter.

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