"For block 1 companies who are prepared and comply with the health conditions, will be given a seal of healthy Panama certification in the establishments. We have to wait 10 to 14 days to talk about the second block, "Cortizo said in a press conference.

The activities of Block 1 that restarted this May 13, are retail sales (electronic commerce), mechanical workshops, technical services, industrial fishing, aquaculture.

Cortizo expressed that "there are clear conditions to move from one block to another, the RT or virus transmission rate, it is important to pass, but the solidarity of Block 1, if things are done well, allow us to move to Block 2, and that is the great shared responsibility ”.

Regarding possible pressures for the reopening of activities, the President stated "we have been disciplined ... we cannot be changing due to pressure, ... I would like to open everything, look at current income, but we have to minimize the sprouts, since we don't want to go back to the beginning".

He indicated that the gradual lifting of activities will continue to be carried out based on scientific evidence, "no pressure will divert us."

He also urged the block 1 to be "in solidarity and do things well, as this is a chain [of reactions]."

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) explained that entering the next blocks towards the so-called "new normal" will depend on the epidemiological behavior that occurs in these coming weeks, so it is required to maintain the same behavior of the last days for taking of decisions.

For example, the opening of open spaces such as parks, mass transportation, restaurants and sports activities will depend on an evaluation based on the effective transmission index (RT), and the installed capacity of the national health system, among other factors.