Denese A Rodgers

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (March 12, 2020) Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 100,000 reported cases worldwide. On March 11, the Panamanian Ministry of Health announced 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Panama. The government of Panama has implemented enhanced screening, including all cruise ships, to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit the website of the Panamanian Ministry of Health (in Spanish) for additional information on these new measures. The government has implemented school and university closures nationwide until March 20. Schools and universities in San Miguelito, Panama Centro, and Panama Norte will remain closed until April 7. The government has also suspended large gatherings until April 7. Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information. Actions to Take: · Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. · For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information. Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Panama. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue Clayton, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ · State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (March 11, 2020) Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 100,000 reported cases worldwide. On March 10, the Panamanian Ministry of Health announced eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Panama. The government of Panama has implemented enhanced screening, including all cruise ships, to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Visit the website of the Panamanian Ministry of Health for additional information on these new measures. The government has implemented school closures in some areas and suspended public activities such as fairs, concerts, and sporting events until April 7. Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information. Actions to Take Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations. Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information. Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Panama. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (March 10, 2020) Event: There is an ongoing outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan, China. The global public health threat posed by COVID-19 is high, with more than 100,000 reported cases worldwide. On March 9, the Panamanian Ministry of Health announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Panama. Actions to Take: Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information. For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of Visit the COVID-19 page on travel.state.gov for the latest information. Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions. Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Panama. Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the U.S. Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Email: Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.

Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (January 31, 2020) Location: Colon, Panama Event: La Alianza Causa Justa Colon is advertising two days of protests in the Colon area, February 3-4. There is a likelihood of civil unrest and an increase in violent criminal activity typically associated with these types of protests. These protests will include the closure of major roads in/around the city. U.S. Embassy Panama has prohibited the travel of all Embassy personnel to Colon during the aforementioned dates. Actions to Take: Avoid the area of Colon February 3-4 Assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444

Registering to Vote and Submitting a Ballot Registering to Vote and submitting a ballot is fast, easy, and can be done from anywhere in the world! Start by confirming your voter registration with your state. Some states require absentee voters to register annually so you may need to re-register. Go to FVAP.gov to connect to your state’s voter portal to register to vote, request a ballot, and more. Once you confirm your registration, follow a few simple steps to vote in the 2020 U.S. elections: 1. Request Your Ballot: Most states provide the option to request ballots through their state election portals, which you can easily access via FVAP.gov. You can also choose to complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The completion of the FPCA allows you to request absentee ballots for all elections for federal offices (President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives) including primaries and special elections during the calendar year in which it is submitted. FPCA forms that are correctly filled out and include a signature and date are accepted by all local election officials in every U.S. state and territory. FVAP’s easy online assistant can assist you with completing the FPCA. Whether you request your ballot through your state’s portal or the FPCA, we encourage you to select the option for receiving your ballot electronically (by email, internet download, or fax) when available. This is the fastest way for you to get your ballot and ensures you have it in time to return a completed form before your state’s deadline. 2. Receive and Complete Your Ballot: States are required to send out ballots 45 days before a regular election for federal office and states generally send out ballots at least 30 days before primary elections. Most states allow you to confirm your ballot delivery online. 3. Return Your Completed, Signed Ballot: Some states allow you to return your completed ballot electronically and others do not. If your state requires you to return paper voting forms or ballots to local election officials by mail, you can do so through international mail, professional courier service, or through U.S. Embassy Panama’s diplomatic pouch. The diplomatic pouch provides free mail service from embassies and consulates to a U.S. sorting facility. You will need to place your ballots in postage paid return envelopes or in envelopes bearing sufficient U.S. postage, in order for them to be delivered to the proper local election authorities. If using the diplomatic pouch, ballots can be dropped off to the American Citizens Services section by Ave. Demetrio Basilio Lakas, building #783, Clayton, Panama City from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please note that all visitors to the Embassy are subject to security screening and you will not be permitted to bring electronic devices, including cell phones, inside the facility. Please note that it can take up to fourweeks for mail to reach its destination if sent by an embassy or consulate via diplomatic pouch. All overseas U.S. citizens are advised to submit their forms and ballots accordingly. Researching the Candidates and Issues: Online Resources. Go to the FVAP links page for helpful resources to aid your research of candidates and issues. Non-partisan information about candidates, their voting records, and their positions on issues are widely available and easy to obtain on-line. You can also read national and hometown newspapers on-line or search the internet to locate articles and information. For information about election dates and deadlines, subscribe to FVAP's Voting Alerts (vote@fvap.gov). FVAP also shares Voting Alerts via Facebook (@DODFVAP), Twitter (@FVAP), and Instagram (@fvapgov). Learn more at the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) website, FVAP.gov. If you have any questions about registering to vote overseas, please contact U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama at Panama-ACS@state.gov.

The U.S. Embassy in Panama announced yesterday that Philip Laidlaw is the new interim Head of Mission, effective January 14. The information was received by La Prensa by press release, which highlights that the diplomat has served 18 years with the State Department. Laidlaw replaces Roxanne Cabral who had been in that position since March 2018. At Cabral's Farewell Reception, she said, “My family and I treasure the warmth of the Panamanian people, the beautiful nature and culture of this country, as well as their historical ties with the United States. I wish Panama a prosperous future as a model of democracy and economic growth for the region, guided by the cheerful and noble spirit of the Panamanian people." She presented Laidlaw as the new interim Head of Mission, according with the statement by the Embassy. Cabral arrived in Panama as Minister Counselor in August 2017. She was nominated as United States Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands in May 2019, and was confirmed by the Senate in December of the same year. Philip Laidlaw, nuevo jefe de misión de Estados Unidos _ La Prensa Panamá.mhtml

Panama City - February 3-7, 2020 The U.S. Embassy in Panama is pleased to announce that representatives from the Regional Federal Benefits Unit will visit Panama City to offer services for beneficiaries or individuals with questions about U.S. Social Security and other federal benefits. Where: Center for English Language Immersion (CELI) – Via España, Edificio Cromos, 2do piso. When: February 3 – 6 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) February 7 (8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) NOTE: No appointments necessary, BUT PLEASE BE PREPARED TO WAIT.What to bring:Please bring originals AND legible copies of all documents to be submitted: Social Security Benefits: Bring originals and copies of the following for all applicants: Birth Certificate Passport Marriage and/or death certificates – if applying for auxiliary or survivor’s benefits SSA Proof of Life Study: In 2019, Social Security Administration (SSA) mailed a questionnaire to beneficiaries whose social security number (SSN) ended in 50 to 99 and beneficiaries over the age of 90. Please bring a copy of your passport and a completed SSA-7162,if you have had your benefits suspended. SSN Card Application: Bring a copy of your valid U.S. passport, Certificate of Birth Abroad, or original birth certificate and completed form SS-5FS. Change of Address for Social Security: Bring your current passport. Medicare Part B Enrollment/Cancellation: To enroll in Medicare, you should complete and sign this CMS-40B To cancel your enrollment please complete and sign this CMS-1763 To learn more about the services offered by the Regional Federal Benefits Unit visit: https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/ The best way to contact the Regional Federal Benefits Unit is by using their online inquiry form: http://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/fbu-inquiry-form/ Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates. We look forward to seeing you there! What is the Mission of the Fed

Mayor Joswar Alvarado invites children of all ages to celebrate the Boquete Christmas Parade on December 25 at 6:00 p.m. The Parade will go from Los Naranjos Gym through the center of town. Please note that road closures will begin around 5:00 p.m. between Los Naranjos and the Banco Nacional. Merry Christmas!

Demonstrations are expected to take place on December 20, 2019, beginning at 8:00am. The group intends to protest on the 30-year anniversary of Operation Just Cause. Note – Access on and off the Embassy compound will be restricted during the demonstration and the Consular Section will be closed to the public. Actions to Take: · Avoid Demetrio B. Lakas Ave. in Clayton in front of the Embassy. · Monitor local media for updates. · Avoid demonstrations. · Be aware of your surroundings. For assistance: U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama +507 317-5000 Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ State Department - Consular Affairs +1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 Panama Country Information Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Panama City will be closed for routine services from Monday, December 23, 2019 through Friday, January 3, 2020. Emergency services for U.S. citizens and emergency visa services will still be available. If you are a U.S. citizen experiencing an emergency, please contact us via email at Panama-ACS@state.gov or call +507 317-5000. If you believe that you have an emergency need for visa services (emergency needs would include medical emergencies, the death of a family member, students that begin or resume classes in January and urgent business travel), please contact Panama-Visas@state.gov . https://pa.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/

Thursday, November 28, 2019, Panama will celebrate 198 years of Independence from Spain. The all-day festivities will begin early with the Acto Protocolar. The Commemorative Parade is scheduled to begin at 10:00. Please use this map as your guide to parking, resources, and road-closures for the day. The Honorable Joswar Alvarado, Mayor of Boquete, cordially invites you to be a part of this momentous occasion.

Boquete Gran Cabalgata 2019 - November 24th - Watch for road closures from the Cacho Gym to Restaurant La Posada from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. There will be a free concert by Luco de Sedas sponsored by Sr. Nestor Zacarelli in front of La Posada from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The road in front of Posada and the intersection at Taboo will be closed for the security of the pedestrians. Join us in the joy of the Fiestas Patrias and this grand Panamanian equestrian tradition. El domingo 24 la calle se cerrará desde el gimnasio El Cacho hasta la Posada boqueteña. Se cerrará a la altura del banco Nacional. A la 1:00 p.m. La cabalgata debe culminar a las 6:30 p.m. Habrá un concierto con Lucho de Sedas, patrocinado por el abanderado Nestor Zacarelli, gratis. Esto será frente a la Posada de 6:00 p.m a 10:00 p.m. Se cerrará la calle frente a la Posada y la intersección de Taboo para brindar seguridad a las personas en este perímmetro.

Celebrate the Fiestas Patrias in Boquete! Join in the fun and pageantry!!

Panamerican Highway Notice: Travelers using the Bridge of the Americas are advised that from August 26 to August 30, 2019 the job of lifting the beams of the bridge will occur from 10:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. nightly. This will mean a total closure of the bridge (in both directions) during this time from Arraijan (highway entrance) to Cocoli. Only residents of Panama Pacifico and Veracruz areas will be allowed to proceed. For more information, email mecopa@constructorameco.com or call the Communications Department at 6949-2430. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

The Correro Nacional has received an order from the Director de Servicios Postales - As of April 15th, the Suspension of Mail Service for North America and the Caribbean has been lifted. Mail can be sent and received once again.