Beach closing boondogle

After three days of confusion about access to the use of beaches and spas, the civil protection authorities (Sinaproc decided on Friday to raise the “red flag     – on the beaches of the provinces of Panama, Panama West, and Herrera.

For Panama and West Panama it will be until March 15, and in Herrera, until February 1, according to a statement from (Sinaproc) that indicates that the measure is adopted to mitigate the   Covid-19 pandemic.

On January 13, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued a statement in which it indicated that for Panama and Panama Oeste access to the beaches would be prohibited, despite the fact that an Executive Decree signed by the Health, Minister, Luis Sucre, and President Laurentino Cortizo, made it clear that only on days of total quarantine (weekends) was access and use of beaches, rivers and public spas was prohibited in the Panama, Panama Oeste, Herrera, Coclé, Los Santos and Veraguas. That decree is still in force.

In other words, from Monday to Friday there seemed to be a green light for the beaches. This provision, although it corresponded to the request of the administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, Iván Eskildsen, not to be so strict with the beaches, was later “clarified” by the Ministry of Health, through a statement, also dated January 13, in which they indicated that Panama and Panama Oeste have restricted the use of beaches, rivers and public spas until March 15.

The confusion on the subject, marked by the fact that a communiqué cannot annul a decree, continued Friday. Even President Cortizo tried to explain abundantly what the Minsa said. However, at the close of Friday’s edition,of La Prensa Executive Decree No. 62 had not been amended.

For Panama and Panama West it will be until March 15, and in Herrera, until February 1, according to a statement from (Sinaproc) that indicates that the measure is adopted to mitigate the   Covid-19 pandemic.

On January 13, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued a statement in which it indicated that for Panama and Panama Oeste access to the beaches would be prohibited, despite the fact that an Executive Decree signed by the Health, Minister, Luis Sucre, and President Laurentino Cortizo, made it clear that only on days of total quarantine (weekends) was access and use of beaches, rivers and public spas was prohibited in the Panama, Panama Oeste, Herrera, Coclé, Los Santos and Veraguas. That decree is still in force.

In other words, from Monday to Friday there seemed to be a green light for the beaches. This provision, although it corresponded to the request of the administrator of the Panama Tourism Authority, Iván Eskildsen, not to be so strict with the beaches, was later “clarified” by the Ministry of Health, through a statement, also dated January 13, in which they indicated that Panama and Panama Oeste have restricted the use of beaches, rivers and public spas until March 15.

The confusion on the subject, marked by the fact that a communiqué cannot annul a decree, continued Friday. Even President Cortizo tried to explain abundantly what the Minsa said. However, at the close of Friday’s edition,of La Prensa Executive Decree No. 62 had not been amended.