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On November 30, due to high daily new case numbers, a 9 p.m. curfew was announced for the Panama Oeste province (along with restricted hours for alcohol sales). On December 7, the ministry of health announced that Panama province would have the same curfew.
(Panama Province is where the capital, Panama City is located. Panama Oeste Province is where the Coronado Region is located.)
On December 15, the government announced special measures through January 4, 2021, as follows:
From December 18, nationwide: curfew & alcohol sales banned from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily (if your building has a pool/social area the same hours apply). Restaurants may deliver food up to 10 p.m. Supermarkets will admit one person per family (unless you need to bring a minor or caretaker with you).
From December 23 to January 4: Intercity travel ban. Beaches, rivers, etc. will be closed.
On Friday Dec. 25, at 7 p.m., we will begin a “total quarantine” which means no one (aside from those with special permission such as essential medical personnel, restaurant and food delivery staff, some government and construction workers) will be allowed out. We get a break from total quarantine from Monday Dec. 28 at 5 a.m. to Friday, January 1 at 7 p.m.
Total quarantine is scheduled to end on Monday, January 4, at 5 a.m.
Panama has approved the Pfizer vaccine and plans to begin administering the first lot (prioritizing high-risk populations first) in the first trimester of 2021. In an unprecedented move Panama will allow a cadre of non-nationals to practice medicine here (specific groups, solely for the Coronavirus crisis).
International Travel:
Flights resumed on October 12, though many airlines have been unable to operate as many frequencies as before. Copa, the country’s premier airline—responsible for Panama’s moniker “The Hub of the Americas”—said that it would operate at just 12% of its former capacity. The airline announced that it would begin by offering flights from these major U.S. hubs: Miami, New York City, Orlando, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
Visitors must present negative Covid-19 test results (obtained less than 48 hours previously) or pay $50 for a test on arrival.
If you are hoping to visit soon, your best bet for up-to-the-minute information on flights is to monitor Copa Airlines on social media or sign up for its mailing list by creating a free account at Copa.com. Canadians may want to check with Sunwing (may be offering charter flights/packages direct to Scarlett Martinez airport near Playa Blanca in December), Air Canada, and other major airlines.
*Masks are required by law outside of your home in Panama (may be removed to eat or drink) and gatherings of more than ten people are prohibited.
All of the above is subject to change without notice.
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