PANAMA

On March 24 the Panamanian Executive branch published a decree imposing a mandatory 24-hour curfew in Panama in the Official Gazette. The new decree, issued by the Health Ministry, amends the one published on March 17 imposing a curfew between 9 pm and 5 am. The new measure is already in force and is to remain in effect until the state of national emergency due to COVID-19 is declared to be over.

The decree follows an “increase in the number of cases of people affected by COVID-19” which has “forced the National Government to adopt new measures to tackle the pandemic”. The key aspects of the document are:

• A 24-hour curfew across the country starting at 5:01 pm on March 25.

• Supermarkets and mini-markets, banks and finance companies, medical personnel, law enforcement officers, public transport, cleaning companies, pharmacies, among others, are exempted.

• One person per household may go out to purchase necessary supplies. Persons with chronic health conditions or who have suffered accidents may be accompanied by another person.