Costa Rica: Officials ease certain domestic COVID-19 restrictions effective July 12 /update 39

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have eased certain business restrictions nationwide due to decreases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Effective July 12, event venues can increase their maximum operating capacities from 30 to 75 people, while academic, business and religious events can host up to 300 people - up from 150. Other restrictions remain unchanged; bars can operate at 25 percent capacity, hotels with more than 100 rooms can operate at 75 percent capacity, and national parks can open at 50 percent capacity. Restaurants, grocery stores, and all other businesses allowed to operate may continue doing so at 50 percent capacity.

Businesses are only able to operate 05:00-21:00 daily. Beaches can open daily 05:00-18:00. 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.

The nation has also extended its existing schedule of rotating restrictions on the use of private motor vehicles. The regulation generally includes a period of two weeks during which privately-owned vehicles are prohibited from being on the roads one workday per week based on the specific final digit of their license plate numbers, plus one weekend day depending on whether the license plate ends in an odd or even number. This is followed by a two-week period of controls during which motorists may only operate their vehicles on alternating days of the week depending on whether the last digit of their license plate is odd or even. These specific restrictions apply only to motor vehicle use between the hours of 05:00-21:00; motorists are banned from using their private vehicles between 21:00-05:00.

For the period of July 12-25, the following vehicle use restrictions are in effect:

Mondays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 1 or 2 prohibited
Tuesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 3 or 4 prohibited
Wednesdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 5 or 6 prohibited
Thursdays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 7 or 8 prohibited
Fridays: Vehicles with license plates ending in 9 or 0 prohibited
Saturday, July 17: Only vehicles with odd-numbered license plates allowed
Sunday, July 18: Only vehicles with even-numbered license plates allowed
Saturday, July 24: Only vehicles with even-numbered license plates allowed
Saturday, July 25: Only vehicles with odd-numbered license plates allowed

For the period of July 26-Aug. 8, motorists will be able to use their vehicles on alternating days depending on whether their license plate ends in an odd or even number; this rotation will begin with vehicles having even-numbered plates being permitted on July 26, followed by those with odd-numbered plates on July 27, and so forth.

Authorities continue to categorize individual cantons based 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 July 12, all cantons nationwide remain at the high-risk (orange) level.

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 not required to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test prior to entering the country. Nevertheless, they must still complete the required health affidavit (Health Pass) and have sufficient insurance to cover lodging and health expenses. Starting Aug. 1, however, individuals may enter Costa Rica without the requisite health insurance, if they provide proof of having been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their trip.

The nation's land borders have also reopened for nonresident foreign nationals. 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 undergo a self-quarantine period upon arrival. The country's 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.