The closure of borders in Costa Rica will be extended for another month, according to an announcement recently made by the Minister of Public Security, Michael Soto Rojas. This to keep the curve of COVID-19 contagion in the country flattened.
It is important to mention that the opening of the border to foreigners had been announced to begin on May 15th, but for reasons of health security, it has been suspended for at least one more month.
Minister Michael Soto stated: “The decision has been made today to extend until June 15th the migratory restrictions regarding the closure of borders. During this period, only Costa Ricans or people legally residing in the country may enter the country.”
Likewise, it was announced that those foreigners who leave the country cannot enter again and if they are detected entering or leaving blind spots, they will be arrested, and their residence permit will be canceled, being expelled from the national territory.
Strong sanitary measures continue
Both Costa Ricans and foreign residents of the country that enter the nation, either by humanitarian flights or of other nature, will have to maintain mandatory 14-day isolation pending the virus incubation period. Air transport, commerce, and supplies crews are excepted.
However, all freight forwarders entering Costa Rica have to undergo the COVID-19 test to enter national soil. Regarding this, the Tico Minister of Health Daniel Salas Peraza, stated: “It has been arranged and for a matter of maintaining the flow chain of food by carriers, trucks or trailers, that each foreign transporter who enters the country in this condition, must be submitted to the COVID-19 test.”
Likewise, Minister Salas said that 230 carriers have been tested when they entered the country and that to date only one positive case has been identified, which is already isolated, and his close contacts are being identified to carry out an epidemiological review to cut the chain of contagion.
In the same order of ideas, Salas called on the population not to let their guard down for as long as the restrictions and sanitary measures last. “We should not forget that this is a Pandemic and a national emergency, that we are pulling through this situation successfully,” he said.
The tourism sector is the most affected during COVID-19 in Costa Rica
With this temporary closure of the borders, the tourism sector, one of the main economic engines of the country, is being the most affected by the health crisis. According to experts in the area, it is estimated that it will suffer a drop of at least 27% in 2020. It should be noted that this sector moves a large part of the economy with both direct and indirect jobs.
The good news is that Ticos have fully complied with all the measures issued for their protection, resulting in the lowest COVID-19 death rate in the Americas. Even though in Costa Rica it has not applied a compulsory quarantine to its population, but rather acknowledging the civic duty to stay home and has promoted teleworking.
Thanks to the fact that the contagion curve has been kept flat, the government began to relax some measures as of May 1st, which are: the reopening of some establishments such as gyms, restaurants, beauty salons, all of them with a series of limitations and sanitary measures framed by the World Health Organization.
It is estimated that in the next few days, the Costa Rican government, depending on how the contagion curve is managed, may make incorporate other activities. For the moment, bars are still closed; concerts and mass events are prohibited. As well as vehicle circulation restrictions are maintained.
Despite being a small country, Costa Rica has been a great example for the world in the correct management of this health crisis. That is why after this Pandemic passes we will wait for you with open arms and offer you the best of this land full of grace.
