Costa Rica: COVID-19 restrictions to be tightened nationwide starting April 27 /update 33

Authorities in Costa Rica to tighten restrictions nationwide starting April 27 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Event

Due to an increase in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, authorities in Costa Rica will tighten restrictions nationwide starting April 27. Travel restrictions remain unchanged.

Under the new directives, which will be in place between April 27-May 16, motorists nationwide will be banned from using private transport between 21:00-05:00. Businesses will only be able to operate between 05:00-21:000 daily. Additionally, on the weekends, authorities have reimplemented restrictions on private vehicles. 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.

Other restrictions remain unchanged. Generally, nonessential businesses can operate nationwide provided they adhere to certain health and safety regulations. Beaches can open daily between 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.

Within an area of central San Jose known as the "restriction zone," special restrictions on private vehicle use are in effect; more specifically, private vehicles are only allowed on the roads on certain days of the week based on the last digit of their license plates. Vehicles with plates ending in the digits shown below may only be used on the corresponding day indicated:

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

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 24, most cantons nationwide are at the moderate (yellow) risk level, with the following cantons classified as high risk (orange):

San Jose Province: Curridabat, Moravia, Perez Zeledon, Tibas, Vazquez de Coronado.
Alajuela Province: Alajuela, Guatuso, Los Chiles, Naranjo, Palmares, Poas.
Cartago Province: Cartago, Jimenez, La Union.
Heredia Province: Barva, Belen, Heredia, San Isidro, San Rafael, Santo Domingo.
Puntarenas Province: Garabito, Montes de Oca, Parrita, Quepos.
Limon Province: Limon.
Guanacaste Province: 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.