Panama Requests Supreme Court Intervention on Dry Law as it Moves Towards Economic Reopening
15 mayo 2020
PANAMA

On May 11, the Mayor of Santiago, Samid Sandoval, filed a petition before the Supreme Court of Justice against Decree 612 allowing the sale of alcohol in the country. The Panamanian Ministry of Health (MINSA, for its acronym in Spanish) published its Guidelines for the Return to Normality Post-COVID-19 and the Health Guide for Retail Operations by Digital Means and Home Delivery. Both documents advise companies to set up a special committee responsible for ensuring compliance with the standards issued by the Ministry. Finally, the Panamanian Executive Power presented its “Route to New Normality“, which aims to progressively open the economy to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to Sandoval, Law 5 of 2007 gives municipalities autonomy when it comes to establishing restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Sandoval also requested the government to consult with city mayors to define the steps to be taken regarding alcohol sales. The Supreme Court is due to rule on this matter in the next few days.  

The MINSA’s guidelines envisage the creation of a committee in each company responsible for ensuring compliance with the standards issued by the Ministry. The guidelines are further complemented with the presentation of the “Route to New Normality“, which aims to progressively open the economy to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first stage of the six-phase plan was launched on May 13, after a decree was issued allowing retail outlets to re-open and e-commerce to be carried out for essential activities without restrictions.

Finally, Tocumen International Airport announced that it is working on an Adaptation and Biosafety Plan to allow it to reopen, with a view to creating safe health spaces to allow the terminal to operate normally. However, the reopening of the airport will depend on the approval of the Civil Aeronautical Authority and the Health Ministry and these entities have not as yet issued any opinion on the matter.

wefeqwf