Decree issued on requirements to enter to places with low COVID-19 rates
In the Official Gazette of Panama, Executive Decree No. 1690 of December 29, 2020 has already been promulgated , which establishes the requirements on the mobilization to places and / or areas of the national territory that present low rates of contagion.
In its first article, the decree indicates that people will be subject to the taking and collection of nasal swab samples or any other that allows a diagnosis of COVID-19 to be obtained.
In its article 2, this regulation indicates that for the purposes of the aforementioned, the health authority may establish checkpoints or control points at any point of the national territory, as well as carry out tests in its different dependencies or through promotion and prevention operations.
While people who, due to a tourist activity, move to the islands, coasts of the country or geographical areas that are free or have a low incidence of COVID-19, as indicated by the number of cases reported per day, must present in the different posts or entry control points to these areas, a certificate of swab / PCR or negative antigen test, validated by the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 ), with a maximum of 48 hours, prior to entering the country.
This will also apply without prejudice to the fact that health authority officials may randomly order the taking and collection of samples for the COVID-19 diagnostic test, at any point of access to these areas. If the test is positive, the infected person will be forced to comply with the mandatory isolation measure, as determined by health officials.
The decree warns that the violation of the provisions established in this Decree will be sanctioned by the competent authorities, in accordance with their respective competencies and in accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree No. 961 of August 18, 2020.
In its article 2, this regulation indicates that for the purposes of the aforementioned, the health authority may establish checkpoints or control points at any point of the national territory, as well as carry out tests in its different dependencies or through promotion and prevention operations.
While people who, due to a tourist activity, move to the islands, coasts of the country or geographical areas that are free or have a low incidence of COVID-19, as indicated by the number of cases reported per day, must present in the different posts or entry control points to these areas, a certificate of swab / PCR or negative antigen test, validated by the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies, for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 ), with a maximum of 48 hours, prior to entering the country.
This will also apply without prejudice to the fact that health authority officials may randomly order the taking and collection of samples for the COVID-19 diagnostic test, at any point of access to these areas. If the test is positive, the infected person will be forced to comply with the mandatory isolation measure, as determined by health officials.
The decree warns that the violation of the provisions established in this Decree will be sanctioned by the competent authorities, in accordance with their respective competencies and in accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree No. 961 of August 18, 2020.