• Through these updates and until we meet virtually or in person, we want to keep you informed of the measures taken by Panama and our industry with regards to the worldwide emergency due to the coronavirus.

Panama Industry Update No. 5

July 21, 2020

INTERNATIONAL AIR TRAVEL TO AND FROM PANAMA RESTRICTED UNTIL AUGUST 23, 2020

On behalf of PROMTUR Panamá, the country’s Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), we want to keep you informed of the measures Panama takes responsibly to keep residents and visitors safe.

On Friday, July 17th, the Aeronautical Civil Authority announced that international air travel restrictions have been extended until August 23, 2020, except for humanitarian flights and those transporting provisions for the medical response. @aacivilpty

Panama’s main international airport, Tocumen, has confirmed that it is ready to operate, complying with international health and safety guidelines, as soon as restrictions are uplifted.

NATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TOURISM GUIDELINESS APPROVED AND PUBLISHED BY NATIONAL AUTHORITIES

Preparations to receive tourists, domestic and international are well advanced. The Ministries of Labor and Health have approved and published ten guidelines for the tourism industry, including: Sports and Adventure; Open Spaces; Agrotourism and Rural Tourism; Venues; Golf; Tourism Operators; Tour Guides; Lodging; Beaches, Rivers, Thermal Waters and Similar; Marinas, Ports and Nautical Tourism. In compliance with these guidelines, all industry sectors are submitting their protocols to the Ministry of Labor for approval, and once granted, the Ministry of Health will conduct inspections. https://www.mitradel.gob.pa/protocolos-bioseguridad-turismo/

MANDATORY SHELTER IN PLACE CONTINUES

Careful evaluation and actions to control the spread of the virus have continued in order to maintain high standards of sanitation for the population, and eventually visitors, whom we are scheduled to welcome in Phase No. 4, date yet to be determined.

  1. Phase 1 started on May 13th with e-commerce, mechanical workshops, spare parts, technical services, industrial fishing, and aquaculture.
  2. Phase 2 began June 1st including prioritized public infrastructure construction sector, non-metallic mining and industry, religious services and sports activities, under social distancing conditions and following circulation schedules.
  3. Phase 3, date to be determined (TBD), includes non-essential wholesale and retail trade, car sales, private construction projects, and general administrative services.
  4. Phase 4 includes international air transportation, estimated to initiate after August 23rd, while venues, hotel and restaurants’ reopening date is yet TBD.
  5. Phase 5, date TBD includes recreational transportation and facilities, sporting events. Public education resumed today online.
  6. Phase 6 - date TBD, includes reopening of all sectors of the economy with sanitation requirements and social distancing measures, including concerts, conventions, and crowded events (public and private).