/ Published in 2020, Data Protection_covid, Immigration Law_news, Labor and immigration_covid, News

The Ministry of Health establishes measures for entry into the national territory for people coming from South America due to New Strain of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health (MINSA), through Executive Decree No. 260 of March 29, 2021 (hereinafter the “Decree”), and due to the new strain of P1 Sars Cov-2 (COVID-19) has informed certain measures applicable to all persons coming from, who have stayed in or transited through any country in South America, as follows:

  • As of 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, all persons coming from, staying in or transiting through any South American country must bring a negative PCR or antigen test no later than 48 hours prior to arrival.
  • In addition, they must undergo, at their own cost, a PCR or Antigen Test upon entry into the country.
    • If the result is negative, the traveler must be isolated at home for 5 days or in a Covid-19 travelers’ hospital. On the fifth day, the antigen swab test must be repeated, and if the result is negative, the isolation ends.
    • If the result is positive, PCR-RT test and typing test +ICGES analysis should be performed. In addition, the traveler must comply with a 14-day quarantine in a Covid-19 travelers’ hospital.
  • This Decree will become effective on March 29, 2021.

Comments:

  • This Decree applies to nationals, residents and tourists who come from, have stayed, or transited through any South American country, regardless of the result of the PCR or antigen test.
  • The current Executive Decree No. 61 of January 8, 2021 establishes the requirement to file a negative result to enter the country or to take a PCR or antigen test at the Tocumen Airport. With this Decree, even when bringing a negative test, any person with characteristics the already indicated is obliged to take a second test at the Airport, in order to enter our country.
  • Likewise, the Decree establishes mandatory isolation for all persons coming from, having stayed in or transited through any South American country, regardless of the result of the PCR or antigen test.
  • The use of masks and compliance with all biosecurity measures established by MINSA is mandatory for all persons entering the country, whether by air, land or sea, using commercial or private means.
  • The Civil Aviation Authority, the National Immigration Office, the Panama Maritime Authority and the Public Force can adopt any measures that they consider necessary to comply with these measures.
  • Failure to comply with the provisions of this Decree will be sanctioned in accordance with Executive Decree No. 961 of August 18, 2020, as amended by Executive Decree No. 61 of January 8, 2021.