Costa Rica: Officials tighten domestic COVID-19 restrictions from mid-May /update 35

Event

Authorities in Costa Rica have tightened movement and business restrictions nationwide due to increases in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations.

Under the new directives that are in effect as of May 17, the use of private vehicles is restricted nationwide on certain days of the week through at least May 31 depending on the last number of a vehicle's license plate and 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 0 cannot circulate
Saturdays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 cannot circulate
Sundays: vehicles with a license plate ending in 2, 4, 6, 8, and 0 cannot circulate

Additionally, several business restrictions have been tightened. Bars must reduce their operating capacities to 25 percent, while event venues can host a maximum of 30 people and business and academic events must be limited to 150 people. Hotels with more than 100 rooms can operate at 75 percent capacity and places of worship cannot allow more than 200 people. 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.

Other nationwide measures remain unchanged. Motorists are banned from using private transport 21:00-05:00. Businesses will only be able to operate 05:00-21:00 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.

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 May 17, most cantons nationwide are at the high (orange) risk level:

San Jose Province: Acosta, Alajuelita, Curridabat, Desamparados, Escazu, Goicoechea, Leon Cortes, Montes de Oca, Moravia, Perez Zeledon, Puriscal, San Jose, Santa Ana, Tarrazu, Tibas, and Vazquez de Coronado.
Alajuela Province: Alajuela, Atenas, Grecia, Guatuso, Los Chiles, Naranjo, Orotina, Palmares, Poas, San Carlos, San Mateo, San Ramon, Sarchi, Upala, and Zarcero.
Cartago Province: Cartago, El Guarco, Jimenez, La Union, Oreamuno, Paraiso, and Turrialba.
Heredia Province: Barva, Belen, Flores, Heredia, San Isidro, San Pablo, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, Santo Domingo, and Sarapiqui.
Puntarenas Province: Buenos Aires, Corredores, Coto Brus, Esparza, Garabito, Montes de Oro, Osa, Parrita, Puntarenas, and Quepos.
Limon Province: Guacimo, Limon, Matina, Pococi, Siquirres, and Talamanca.
Guanacaste Province: Bagaces, Carrillo, Hojancha, Liberia, Nandayure, Nicoya, Santa Cruz, and Tilaran.

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 result from a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test 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 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.