Lockdown flouting city mayor hit with $5,000 fine

After being caught on a Coronado beach  during total weekend lockdown  Panama City  Mayor,  José Luis Fábrega, has been fined $5,000 by the Ministry of Health (Minsa) after an earlier $100 tap on the wrist by a Justice of the Peace

The director of the West Panama Health Region, Kevin Cedeño, stated said on  Thursday, August 13  during an interview with Telemetro Reporta that Fábrega must appear at the West Panama Health Region or send someone to pay the penalty.

“The sanction was for non-compliance with Decree 869 that violates the curfew and we must establish an exemplary sanction and I decided to do so,” Cedeño said.

He indicated that the mayor will have a period of three months to pay the fine.

According to Fábrega, who offered an apology on August 1, said that he was in front of his residence when he was approached by the National Police (PN) and the Justice of the Peace.

“I make the clarification that I am the first to demand compliance with the rules and compliance with health controls to reduce the spread of covid-19. Having left and been in the place, I was also fined and responsibly paid the fine, “said the mayor, after photos of the moment he was approached on the beach appeared on social networks

For violating the quarantine the Governor of Panama initiated a disciplinary process against Fábrega after what happened.

The Administration Attorney, Rigoberto González, explained that although as governor Judy Meana can investigate the mayors since she is not “separated from the municipal administration”, since she is on leave from the position of vice mayor, she must express her impediment to the Minister of Government, for her to determine whether or not she can prosecute the mayor.

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