The e-commerce venues, mechanical workshops as well as artisanal fishing and industrial aquaculture are some of the activities that make up the first block of sectors that will begin, as of Wednesday, May 13, the gradual reopening towards the “new normality”.

This was announced by the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Ramón Martínez, at a press conference.

Technical services such as plumbers, electricians, maintenance of air conditioners, elevators and pool maintenance, are also included in the first block.

Other sectors such as education, air transport, hotels, restaurants, bars, non-essential (recreational) transport, sports leagues, entertainment and recreational sites, such as bars, remain without a defined date for opening. In the last block, also without defining a date, are: patronal festivals, concerts, carnivals and discotheques.

Earlier, the President of the Republic, Laurentino Cortizo, announced that starting this Wednesday, May 13, the plan towards "the new normality" will gradually begin.

May 13 marks two months since the Executive declared a state of national emergency. Since then, in Panama, classes have been suspended, airports and beaches closed, construction paralyzed and commercial, industrial and service activities restricted, except for those linked -mainly- to food supplies.

Last week, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) published Resolution No. 399 of May 5, which provides for the reopening of the country's hardware stores and regulates their operation. The same week happened the same with the laundries and the agricultural cooperatives.

Hardware stores can only operate by telephone or through technological platforms, and at restricted hours: they can only attend from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and home deliveries will be at the same hours, but only on Monday and Thursday.