COVID-19 : Panama Announces a Gradual Reactivation After 10 Days of Quarantine

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (CNN Spanish) The government of Panama announced on Tuesday the gradual reactivation of economic activities after a total quarantine that began on January 4 and ends this Thursday, January 12th. According to the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, the measure managed to reduce the positivity of covid-19 tests by 6%.

In a message by national chain, Sucre explained that when the confinement was decided, there was 29% positivity in the tests to detect the coronavirus. The figure has now dropped to 23%, the official said.

For this reason, the minister announced that as of January 15, the hourly curfew will be eliminated, according to the last number of the personal identity document. However, purchases will continue to be made by gender. In addition, there will be a curfew for all provinces of the country between 9 pm and 4 am, local time.

The government’s plan is to make a gradual reactivation in Panama. Therefore from this Friday retail trade will be allowed, but only for online sales. Simultaneously, the wholesale trade for distribution and supply is opened. Construction is also reactivated. In addition, a schedule for the return of other economic activities was announced.

However, Sucre said, in the provinces of Panama and Panama Oeste, in addition to the curfew, there will be a total quarantine over the weekend. The restrictions were increased in the provinces of Veraguas, Coclé, Los Santos and Herrera, where there will be total quarantine and mobility restrictions because they are places where coronavirus cases increased.

So far in the pandemic, Panama has registered 281,353 confirmed infections, with 4,500 deaths. This, according to the latest epidemiological report from the Ministry of Health.

The document indicates that there are 56,020 active cases, of which 2,536 are hospitalized. Of that number, 224 are in intensive care.