09 Aug 2021 | 11:14 PM UTC
Panama: Authorities amend COVID-19-related curfew hours in certain areas, Aug. 9 /update 35
Panama amends curfew hours in certain areas on Aug. 9; most other COVID-19-related restrictions remain unchanged.
Event
Authorities have amended COVID-19-related curfew hours in some areas of the country on Aug. 9. Under the new directives, a nightly 00:01-04:00 curfew remains in force nationwide, including Panama District in Panama Province; however, longer curfews are in effect in certain locations.
Most districts in the provinces of Panama Oeste, Chiriqui, Colon, Los Santos, Cocle, Veraguas, and Herrera are subject to an extended 22:00-04:00 curfew Monday-Sunday.
La Chorrera district in Panama Oeste province and the district of Los Santos in Los Santos province are under a longer weekend curfew running from 22:00 each Saturday until 04:00 the following Monday; the weekend curfew requires all persons to stay in their accommodations on Sundays. A 22:00-04:00 is in effect Monday-Saturday in these areas.
Las Tablas District in Los Santos province is under a 20:00-04:00 curfew Monday-Saturday and a weekend curfew that runs from 20:00 each Saturday until 04:00 the following Monday.
Curfews vary within provinces according to each district's level of COVID-19 activity. Essential services, critical transportation, and international travelers arriving or departing within curfew hours are exempt from the curfew. Nonessential businesses must close one hour before the curfew begins in their respective regions.
Those traveling to Isla de Contadora, Isla San Jose, and Isla del Rey in Panama province must present proof of being fully vaccinated for at least two weeks or a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival.
Most nonessential businesses may operate with certain capacity caps. All businesses must comply with strict sanitation, hygiene, and social distancing protocols, including ensuring that staff and customers use protective facemasks and maintain at least 2 meters (6.5 feet) between each other. Large gatherings and festivals remain banned.
International Travel
Panama's ports of entry remain open to international travelers. All arriving passengers are still subject to enhanced health screenings. Persons entering Panama must complete an online sworn affidavit before travel and must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours before travel; arrivals may be required to undergo a second test at the airport at their own expense. Passengers who test positive upon arrival must quarantine at a government-approved location.
Travelers who have been in India, the UK, South Africa, and most South American countries within the 15 days before departing for Panama remain subject to additional restrictions, including at least three days of quarantine and the requirement to present a negative PCR test taken within the 72 hours before travel. These travelers must undergo a second COVID-19 test at the airport at their own expense. Individuals who test negative at the airport undergo a three-day isolation period in a government-approved facility. Such travelers must undergo an additional PCR test on the third day of quarantine; those who test negative at this point may leave isolation. Individuals who test positive are required to quarantine for 14 days at a government-approved facility.
Passengers arriving from these high-risk locations who can provide a digital vaccine certificate proving that they have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before entry and have a negative result from a PCR test registered in their IATA Travel Pass taken within 72 hours before arrival are exempt from both testing at the airport and quarantine requirements.
Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. Highly targeted, localized measures could be enforced in provinces or local communities with higher disease activity.
Advice
Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements and business appointments. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.
