Health Ministry on alert for virus resurge as economy opens up

As Panama businesses begin to reopen the health authorities are on alert a possible fresh wave of the coronavirus that has sent the economy into a  7-month downward tailspin.  

These sectors are within the opening schedule that has been set between September 7 and October 12. In addition

“The pandemic is not going to be resolved tomorrow or in a month. We as a country are waiting for a possible reappearance due to the opening of trade. We are working so that this possible increase, which we may have during these days, is not of great impact, ” said Health Minister Luis Francisco Sucre in an interview with Telemetro Reporta on Monday, September 28.

Sucre said that with the reopening, one must remain calm, without losing respect for the virus that is lurking awaiting any mistake in matters of biosecurity.

“To avoid regrowth we have to do our part; mask, hand washing, and social distance, ”said Sucre.

Overver the weekend the Minsa announced that trips to beaches, parks, and rivers will have to wait and the 2021 carnivals are suspended.

Sucre reiterated that the mass exposure of people cannot be authorized without even having a vaccine and that we allow  time to evaluate  the health of the Panamanian population is and the situation of the pandemic worldwide, “Then we can talk about parties.”

Minister of Commerce, Ramón Martínez, highlighted that the opening of retail trade represents almost 20% of the Gross Domestic Product and more than 100,000 people