The Ministry of Health has temporarily suspended the entry to Panama of persons coming from the United Kingdom and from the Republic of South Africa due to the new strain of COVID-19.

Ministry of Health:

  • By means of Resolution No. 1390 of December 21, 2020, (hereinafter “the resolution”), published in Official Gazette on the same day, the Ministry of Health has suspended temporarily the entry to Panama of persons coming from, that have stayed or transited through (i) the United Kingdom or (ii) the Republic of South Africa, within the last 20 days prior to the entry into Panama, whether they do so by air, land or sea, using commercial or private means.
  • Panamanian citizen and residents who arrive in Panama from those countries, under the conditions indicated above, must do the following:
    • (i) Take a compulsory PCR or Antigen Test upon arrival.
    • (ii) Remain in quarantine in a hospital hotel, regardless the results of the test, for the time that will be determined by the health authorities, in order to verify that they have not been infected by the new strain of SARS- CoV-2 (COVID-19).
  • This suspension will enter into force as of today, December 21, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.

COMMENTS:

  • This measure is taken due to the new strain of SARS- CoV-2 (COVID-19).
  • In accordance with this resolution, the entry to Panama of Panamanians and residents, with a resident permit ID card either approved or in process, will be allowed en as long as they follow the measures indicated above.
  • The Civil Aviation Authority, the National Immigration Authority and the Police can adopt any measures that they deem necessary to comply with these measures.
  • Tourists are excluded from this Resolution, therefore they will not be able to enter the country until this measure is lifted.

 

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Morgan & Morgan presented the forum: Trends in Labor Law 2019

Morgan & Morgan, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Chiriquí (CAMCHI), presented the forum: Trends in Labor Law 2019; a seminar organized for the business sector of the province of Chiriqui in the Republic of Panama. The topics were presented by lawyers Ricardo Aleman, Maria Teresa Mendoza and Milagros Caballero, labor law specialists.

The objective of the seminar was to reinforce the companies on issues about:

  • Sexual harassment and discrimination within the company and at an education level.
  • Main issues regarding employee’s paternity: leave and child support.
  • Features of special privileges: disability and chronic disease.

Felipe Venicio Rodríguez, president of CAMCHI, said he was pleased by the opportunity, through the alliance with Morgan & Morgan, so that employers and employees can keep up with these issues of social interest and their respective regulations, which in many cases tend to fail in some sectors, for lack of knowledge: “The most important thing is that we cover this part of Corporate Social Responsibility, with these activities, which are considered priority and key to contribute to the strengthening and development of the companies and our society in general; we hope it can be exploited to the maximum by each one of the participants”, added Rodriguez.

Gisselle Moncada and Ana Frago, attorneys from the Morgan & Morgan office in David, Chiriquí, also participated in the event.

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New Law establishes a legal framework for the comprehensive approach to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Law 40 of August 14, 2018 has, among other, some provisions that affect the workplace, such as the following:

Obligations and prohibitions for employers:

  • Any discrimination and stigmatizing or segregating act is prohibited to the detriment of those affected, as well as against their relatives and friends.
  • Every employer is obliged to implement practical ILO recommendations on STI and HIV, and must take all necessary measures to effectively protect the life and health of its affected workers.
  • The worker is not obliged to inform his employer or his co-workers about his condition as an affected person. If he does, the employer must keep strict confidentiality of the case and seek, if necessary, to make adjustments in their work environment according to medical criteria, for the best performance of their duties.
  • No employer can deny affected workers the economic benefits to which they are entitled by law, such as deprive them of advancement in rank or promotion within the company.
  • The health condition of the affected worker can not be a reason for exclusion in relation to bonuses, awards, training, work trips, recreational activities and any other benefit or activities in the company.

Work permits for appointments or treatments:

  • Individuals affected will be granted work permits when required to take care of their health and medical treatments. Additionally, they will be granted up to a maximum of 144 hours, as long as their condition causes a disability.

Labor protection:

  • Workers affected with STIs or HIV can only be dismissed from their jobs for just cause, with prior authorization from the Ministry of Labor.

This Law repeals Law 3 of January 5, 2000.

The Executive Body, through the Ministry of Health, must regulate Law 40, in a period of 180 days as of August 14, 2018.

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