In the case of Panama and West Panama it would be until March 15, and in Herrera, until February 1, according to a statement from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc) that indicates that the measure is adopted to mitigate the pandemic of the Covid-19.

On January 13, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued a statement in which it indicated that for Panama and Panama Oeste access to the beaches would be prohibited, despite the fact that Executive Decree 62, signed by the head of the Minsa, Luis Sucre, and the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, made it clear that only on days of total quarantine (weekends) access and use of beaches, rivers and public spas in the Panama, Panama Oeste, Herrera, Coclé , Los Santos and Veraguas. That decree is still in force.

Access to beaches; first no, then yes, and now no

The authorities have entered into a series of contradictions regarding access to beaches in the country with announcements, statements and decrees that have created confusion among the population.

On January 12, when the authorities reported the gradual resumption of activities, they detailed that beaches and spas were opening as of March 15.

The following day, January 13, they published Executive Decree No. 62, signed by the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, and the Minister of Health, Luis Francisco Sucre, on the prohibitions for the provinces of Panama, Panama Oeste, Coclé , Herrera, Los Santos and Veraguas. However, he highlighted a great exception: " Only during the days of total quarantine, access and use of parks, squares, stadiums, gyms and open areas, as well as beaches, rivers and public spas is prohibited."

In other words, from Monday to Friday there seemed to be a green light for the beaches. This provision, although it corresponded to the request of the administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, Iván Eskildsen, not to be so strict with the beaches, was later "clarified" by the Ministry of Health, through a statement, also dated January 13 , in which they indicated that Panama and Panama Oeste have restricted the use of beaches, rivers and public spas until March 15.

The confusion on the subject, marked by the fact that a statement cannot annul a decree, continued yesterday. Even President Cortizo tried to explain abundantly what the Minsa said through his statements. However, at the close of this edition, Executive Decree No. 62 had not been amended.

What did emerge yesterday was an unusual statement, alleging health reasons, from the National Civil Protection System (Sinaproc). There it is reported that until March 15, 2021 they will maintain a red flag that prohibits access the beaches and rivers, in the provinces of Panama and West Panama.

They also established the prohibition for bathers until February 1 for the province of Herrera.

José Donderis, former director of Sinaproc, posted on his Twitter account, “My recommendation to everyone, the beach flag system is an orientation system for bather, and it is to indicate sea conditions and the calibration of risks on it. The Health issue for Covid is the subject of @MINSAPma and should be handled like this. Let's not reinvent the wheel”.