Plea to open curfew as 750 restaurants remain closed

Some 750 restaurants nationwide failed to open not open their doors  on Monday, February 8 as owners decided that with  the mandated  7:00 p.m.  closing they would not cover expenses

They announced that they would prefer to wait for the 9 pm. to 5 am curfew to be extended and the weekends total quarantine lifted.

Domingo De Obaldia president of the  Panama Restaurant Association said that 75% of the restaurants restarted their customer service operations.

De Obaldia asked the Ministry of Health (Minsa) to evaluate the possibility of starting the curfew at 12:00 midnight so that they can provide their services until 10 or 11:00 pm and give diners an hour to get home. “With this measure, it is possible to make the economy really start,” he said.

In response to the request, the Metropolitan Regional Director of Health, Israel Cedeño said “ “The Minister also always listens and discusses these requests with his advisory team, which includes the regional ones (…) when the health situation allows it, he will dictate new provisions.”