Panama ban on seminars and conventions lifted 

Over a year after forbidding all seminars, forums, congresses, conventions, exhibitions, and in-person training sessions the Ministry of Health  (Minsa) has lifted the ban for provinces where  the positivity of coronavirus is less than 5 % paving the way for the opening of the new Panama Convention  Center

The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed that from Monday, May 10 it is allowed to carry out this type of activities in person, limited to 25% of the capacity of the place in which the event is taking place.

The health authorities specify that in the development of these activities the established biosecurity measures must be complied with, this includes measurement of the body temperature of those attending the event, the mandatory use of a mask, and maintaining the required physical distancing.

The administrator of the Tourism Authority, Iván Eskildsen, said that this resumption will help in the economic reactivation by attracting foreign currency with international events in the new Panama Convention Center, with a capacity of 25,000  which is planned to inaugurate in the month of August.

On Sunday the Panama Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture said that the announcement is a small step in the direction of reactivating the tourism sector, but expressed concern because limiting activities to provinces with a percentage of positivity, is “a highly variable indicator “that does not provide the required confidence in the destination.”

The president of the Panamanian Association of Professionals in Congresses, Exhibitions, and Related, Luis Ricardo Martínez, said this reopening will allow the reactivation of jobs and services that were temporarily suspended due to the pandemic.