Three-day shut-down of public offices for WYD

ALL PUBLIC offices in Panama City and San Miguelito will be closed from noon on January 23 to Wednesday, January 25, during the World Youth Day celebrations and businesses are being encouraged to follow suit, to help reduce potential street chaos.

An estimated 200,000 pilgrims (down from the original 4,00,000 touted by organizers) are expected to flood into Panama’s capital city, and citizens will face the reality of hosting a world event in a small country already facing seemingly insurmountable traffic problems.

Minister of the Presidency, Jorge Gonzalez, thanked the guilds, associations, and companies that, “on their own initiative, recognizing the importance and impact of this event for the country, have decided to establish special schedules and even closing … to enjoy a great party “.

There was a muted response from business organizations.

The Chamber of Commerce said that it is essential that each economic sector make its own decisions on how to operate to participate in the event, without paralyzing its activities.

“We have invited our members and entrepreneurs in general to find creative and flexible ways for their employees to participate in WYD, without affecting the productivity and performance of companies,” said a press release.

Severo Sousa,  president of the National Council of Private Enterprise (Conep), said private companies  will not declare free days, but some entrepreneurs are changing vacations for employees, while other companies, which will be more related to the activity, such as hotels, restaurants, and transporters, will expand their staff for the event.

The joint task force organizing the event which includes a visit by Pope Francis presented its plans at a press conference on Wednesday.

The proposal lists investment of lanes, traffic regulations, mobilization of mass transportation, cargo, and supply transport, and pedestrian routes, and seeks to ensure fluidity in streets and avenues of the city.

The Mi Bus service will run  24 hours a day, with 120 extra buses in service and its director Carlos Sánchez Fábrega, suggested the population leave their cars at home, and use public transport and walking.

Panama Metro will have 26 trains available .on  Line 2, which is 90% complete and will have five stations enabled from January 18 to 27. Then they will close to allow construction to continue.

Panama Metro Director Roberto Roy said that the extra trains are being maintained and the operation on some dates will extend until 2:00 a.m.  He said that the maintenance is also associated with the supply of electric current