Costa Rica: Authorities announce new COVID-19-related restrictions Dec. 31-Jan. 31, 2021 /update 26

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have announced a new schedule of restrictions Dec. 31-Jan. 31, 2021, as part of the country's ongoing response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Existing vehicular restrictions on private vehicles 2200-0500 Monday to Friday and 2100-0500 on weekends will remain in place until the new measures take effect Dec. 31. Thereafter, the following restrictions will be uniformly applied to all areas nationwide:

Dec. 31-Jan. 1: Vehicular restrictions on private vehicles will be applied 1900-0500. All businesses must close by 1900 except those deemed essential, including supermarkets, medical centers, delivery services, and hotels.
Jan. 1-3: Vehicular restrictions on private vehicles will be applied 2000-0500. All businesses must close by 1900 except those deemed essential, including supermarkets, medical centers, delivery services, and hotels.
Jan. 4-31: Vehicular restrictions on private vehicles will be applied 2200-0500 Monday to Friday, and 2100-0500 Saturdays and Sundays. Effective Jan. 9, additional measures will be applied on weekends; only license plates ending in even 2, 4, 6, 8, and 0 may circulate on Saturdays and only license plates ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 may circulate on Sundays.

Officials will also tighten restrictions on entertainment establishments and recreational facilities Jan. 4-17. Bars and casinos will only be allowed to operate at 25-percent capacity; national parks will only be allowed to operate 50-percent capacity, and beaches will only be opened 0500-1430 daily.

These measures will coincide with the government's existing multi-tiered, color-coded alert system based on local disease activity to track COVID-19 risk and manage restrictions in cantons and districts nationwide. The system consists of four levels: green (low risk), yellow (moderate risk), orange (high risk), and red (extreme risk). As of late December, most cantons fall under the yellow classification, while only some remain at the orange level. Individuals driving in orange zones are prohibited from driving on certain days of the week, depending on the last digit of the vehicle's license plate number, as indicated below:

Monday: 1 and 2
Tuesday: 3 and 4
Wednesday: 5 and 6
Thursday: 7 and 8
Friday: 9 and 0
Saturday and Sunday: No restrictions until Jan. 9.

The following cantons are orange zones as of Dec. 27:

San Jose Province: Alajuelita and Perez Zeledon
Alajuela Province: Sarapiqui and Zarcero
Puntarenas Province: Esparza, Garabito, and parts of Puntarenas
Limon Province: Limon, Pococi, and Siquirres
Guanacaste Province : Carrillo, Hojancha, Liberia, Nicoya, and Santa Cruz

Nonessential businesses can operate nationwide, though some businesses may only operate under strict capacity limits. Excluding the period Jan. 4-17, restaurants, gyms, bars, retail stores, and casinos located inside hotels can generally operate at 50-percent capacity. Places of worship can conduct services with a maximum of 125 people. Businesses that obtain health sanitary permits may generally operate outside the relevant movement restriction times. 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.

International Travel
All travelers, including nonresident foreign nationals, regardless of their origin country, are allowed to enter Costa Rica by air. Ground and maritime borders remain closed for nonresident foreign nationals until further notice. This measure does not affect cargo transport. Foreign travelers are no longer required to provide a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test prior to entering the country. However, all travelers 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. The classification of cantons under the color-coded alert system is subject to change at short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.