Herd immunity in November will mark path to normality

Once herd immunity has been achieved, which is expected to be in November, the Ministry of Health would proceed to lift the curfew at the national level said Health Minister, Luis Francisco Sucre, during a meeting with the Vice Minister of Internal Trade and Industry, Omar Montilla; the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap), José Ramón Icaza and the executive director of the Association of Restaurants, Bars and Clubs (Arbyd), Mario Luis González.

According to Sucre, it is projected to achieve collective immunity in the month of November, with 70% of vaccines applied.  One of the main objectives of the meeting was to evaluate future strategies and the measures adopted to return to normality, to expand the capacity in restaurants, bars and the reopening of activities and shops that are still closed.

Sucre recalled that each proposal of the various sectors of commerce such as curfew and opening of activities, is analyzed by the epidemiology and public health team, and is subsequently communicated to President Cortizo. “The measures and decisions that are being taken are based on social behavior, epidemiological indicators, installed capacity, number of positives, they are multifactorial decisions,” explained Sucre. He stressed that Panama is advancing with a safe step so as not to have to return to implement measures that have already been changed.