The process of reopening towards the "new normal" in Panama will see a block of activities reopened every 14 days, although that will depend on the Rt being below 1 said Health Minister Rosario Turner on Wednesday,  May 21 at a meeting between President Cortizo, government ministers and business leaders.

The   Rt is currently below 1, except in some hotspots like San Miguelito, Chiriqui, and PanamaOeste.

The economic reopening plan is divided into six blocks of activities. The first was launched on May 13 and includes retail stores, electronically; spare parts workshops; technical services; artisanal fishing, and aquaculture.

The second block includes construction - paralyzed since l March 25 -, non-metallic mining, industry parks, and churches and, but only with 25% of capacity and keeping a distance of 2 meters between people.

Turner stressed that all companies must prepare to comply with the reopening health protocols, which implies that each location must provide masks to staff; promote frequent hand washing and the use of alcoholic gel, and create a health committee, which will be responsible for monitoring that these measures and the care and follow-up of workers with symptoms of the disease are met.

"We agreed on the national priority of saving lives, maintaining and generating jobs," Cortizo said on his Twitter account.

"We are your best allies in this situation, but we also have to save lives," the president told the businessmen.