The Ministry of Health (Minsa) tests strategies to return to the "new normal", which will involve adjustments in behavior patterns. Panamanians will have to adjust to the new post-COVID-19 normality, warned Health Minister Rosario Turner.

The Minister of Health, Rosario Turner, reiterated yesterday that mitigation measures should be maintained: physical distancing, hand washing, among others. This includes changes in models, not only from the social and economic point of view, but also changes in the new public health policies, the minister explained.

She added that from now on, the instructions from the Ministry of Health, are not just another option, but rather constitute the correct path for all Panamanians to preserve the human right to health and life.

The roadmap of the Ministry of Health will include all the processes of sanitary conduction, in such a way that it continues with a strict vigilance in the epidemiological matters and the fulfillment of regulations, Turner said.

According to the official, this new normality will require physical distancing, which should become the norm of daily living.

In companies must provide access to alcohol gel, enforce the use of masks, temperature taking, teleworking, traceability of those affected, since this new normality is a co-responsibility of the State and the society, said Turner.

As part of a reinforcement, an additional budget of $36 million will be received next week, to acquire supplies, protective equipment and to face the payroll of the new appointed personnel, as well as the additional shifts that are planned for the care of patients suffering from COVID-19.

At the same time, the Minsa reported that Covid-19 cases rose to 8,070 in the country. Of the total, 3,006 are in isolation; 333 hospitalized (248 in the ward and 85 in intensive care), 4,500 clinical recoveries, and 231 deceased.

Dry Law

Through Executive Decree No. 612 on 8 May 2020, the Government of Panama lifted the Dry Law throughout the national territory and established the rules for the controlled sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

If the law is breached, Panamanians should not have the slightest doubt that they will return to the prohibition measure, since the authorization of the consumption of liquor should not cause any alteration of public order, or violation of current quarantine regulations, nor the spread of the virus in the country, stressed Minister Turner.

For this reason, Turner suggested that the entire population responsibly comply with this provision, while saying that the operations will continue throughout the country in conjunction with the Ministry of Security.