US Embassy - Health Cordon Declared in Colon Province

[Denese A Rodgers]

On June 11, Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA) confirmed 18,586 cases of COVID-19. 

MINSA also announced on June 11 that a health cordon has been declared in the community of Iber-Gun, in the township of Cristobal, Colon Province.

Effective June 8, Panama’s National Immigration Service opened and started a 90-day period during which foreigners may submit applications to maintain or adjust their immigration status in Panama without incurring fines.  This applies to applicants whose immigration status expired between March 13 and June 7.  For more details see www.migración.gob.pa.

On June 7, MINSA published a resolution regarding movement restrictions in the provinces of Panama and Panama Oeste.  These provinces will return to movement restrictions based on gender and ID number beginning June 8.  Gender restrictions allow for movements as follows: 

• Women:  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 

• Men:  Tuesday and Thursday.  Saturday until 5pm 

Additionally, movement will be restricted to a two-hour window based on the last digit of each individual’s cedula number or passport number if an individual is not a citizen of Panama.  U.S. Citizens in Panama should always carry their passports, and their Panamanian cedula if they have one.  The two-hour windows are as follows: 

• Last number is 7 – 6:30 – 8:30am 

• Last number is 8 – 7:30 – 9:30am 

• Last number is 9 – 8:30 – 10:30am 

• Last number is 0 – 9:30 – 11:30am 

• Last number is 1 – 12:30 – 2:30pm 

• Last number is 2 – 1:30 – 3:30pm 

• Last number is 3 – 2:30 – 4:30pm 

• Last number is 4 – 3:30 – 5:30pm 

• Last number is 5 – 4:30 – 6:30pm 

• Last number is 6 – 5:30 – 7:30pm 

• There is a special window for those over 60 years old, regardless of cedula or passport numbers, between 7:00am and 10:00am (gender restrictions still apply). 

• Weekend curfew for the month of June is from from 5:00pm on Saturday until 5:00am on Monday. 

• Normal exceptions apply for holders of permission letters (salvoconductos) 

• Parents may take one child per family outside near their home or in the social areas of their apartment building during the two-hour window of the accompanying parent. 

 Hours of circulation during the total quarantine are intended only for essential purchases by one person per household.   The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens in Panama that it is always obligatory to comply with local laws.  Other provinces in Panama will continue with the curfew that began on June 1 (see details below).   

MINSA reminds citizens and residents of Panama that staying at home, not touching your face, and washing your hands frequently are the best means of prevention against COVID-19.  It also requires the use of masks, even homemade ones, when in public.  

The Embassy encourages everyone to prepare accordingly.  Take the opportunity to stock up on any medicines and food supplies you may need to shelter in place in your homes for an extended period of time.  

MINSA announced on June 4 that a health cordon has been declared in the district of Chiriqui Grande, and in the communities of Pantanal and Finca 1 in Changuinola, and Solución in Bocas del Toro.  

On June 2, 2020, MINSA published a resolution stating that anyone leaving their residence must be wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth.  Any individual not wearing a mask is subject to possible detention and fine.