Minsa orders the reactivation of the operation of vessels such as cruise ships, mini-cruises and deep draft vessels
Among the international passenger transport vessels are cruises, mini-cruises, deep-sea vessels, yachts, megayachts, and others.
Through Executive Decree No. 829 , published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Health of Panama ( Minsa ) repeals Article 3 of Executive Decree No. 472 of March 13, 2020, and orders the reactivation of ports, berths , anchorage areas and marinas of the national territory, of the operation of vessels dedicated to the international transport of passengers , such as cruise ships, minicruises, deep draft vessels, yachts, megayachts, yachts for commercial use or any other maritime vessel.
The document indicates that the passengers and crew of the aforementioned vessels that disembark in national ports, must comply with all the rules, protocols and sanitary measures established by the Minsa, with the purpose of safeguarding the health of the population, visitors and the crew of said vessels.
These passengers will be subject to the measures decreed by the World Health Organization in relation to high-risk countries.
He adds that vessels dedicated to international passenger transport must maintain communication with the Minsa, the Panama Maritime Authority and the National Migration Service, regarding their itinerary and operations at all times.
"According to the latest reports from the Department of Epidemiology of the Public Health Directorate of the Minsa, there has been a decrease in the incidence of new cases, as well as in the speed of spread of the contagious disease COVID-19 and the progress in mass vaccination against this disease, which allows to progressively moderate some restrictive measures already adopted and to make others more flexible aimed at achieving the opening of certain economic activities, "said Minsa.
It is worth mentioning that through Article 3 of Executive Decree No. 472 of March 13, 2020, it was ordered to temporarily suspend the embarkation and disembarkation of cruise ships, mini-cruises, draft ships, international passenger transport such as yachts, megayachts and yachts. for commercial use or any other maritime vessel, in ports, berths, anchorage areas and marinas in the national territory, coming from risk areas.
The document indicates that the passengers and crew of the aforementioned vessels that disembark in national ports, must comply with all the rules, protocols and sanitary measures established by the Minsa, with the purpose of safeguarding the health of the population, visitors and the crew of said vessels.
These passengers will be subject to the measures decreed by the World Health Organization in relation to high-risk countries.
He adds that vessels dedicated to international passenger transport must maintain communication with the Minsa, the Panama Maritime Authority and the National Migration Service, regarding their itinerary and operations at all times.
"According to the latest reports from the Department of Epidemiology of the Public Health Directorate of the Minsa, there has been a decrease in the incidence of new cases, as well as in the speed of spread of the contagious disease COVID-19 and the progress in mass vaccination against this disease, which allows to progressively moderate some restrictive measures already adopted and to make others more flexible aimed at achieving the opening of certain economic activities, "said Minsa.
It is worth mentioning that through Article 3 of Executive Decree No. 472 of March 13, 2020, it was ordered to temporarily suspend the embarkation and disembarkation of cruise ships, mini-cruises, draft ships, international passenger transport such as yachts, megayachts and yachts. for commercial use or any other maritime vessel, in ports, berths, anchorage areas and marinas in the national territory, coming from risk areas.