The Ministry of Health adjusts the requirements for the entry of travelers to the country due to the covid-19 pandemic

The Ministry of Health (hereinafter, MINSA), through Executive Decree No. 17 of February 16, 2022 (hereinafter the “Decree”), adjusts the sanitary and epidemiological measures related to the entry of travelers to the country, during the State of National Emergency, as follow:

• TRAVELERS WITH COVID-19 VACCINES.
  

  All travelers who enter the national territory must have a vaccination scheme complete or at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the national vaccination program approved by the traveler’s country of origin or the country where they come from.

  The traveler must digital register his COVID vaccination certificate prior to his entry or he must present a physical COVID vaccination certificate in the port entry.

• TRAVELERS WITHOUT COVID-19 VACCINES.
  

  All travelers who entry to the national territory unvaccinated or without at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines, approved by the national vaccination program of the traveler’s country of origin or the country where they come from, must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or Antigen) within 72 hours prior to travelling to Panama or be tested, at their own expenses, at the port entry in Panama.

• This Decree will take effect from its promulgation.

Comments.

• This Decree maintains the requirement of at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines to entry to Panama, even though, the new vaccination scheme complete in force in Panama is three doses.

• Likewise, this Decree maintains the option to present a negative COVID- 19 test (PCR or Antigen) for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers.

• With this Decree, the 72-hours quarantine period is eliminated for those travelers coming from a country considered high-risk without the COVID-19 vaccines required.

• This Decree will take effect from February 16, 2022.