After the first case of covid-19 was reported in the country, the private sector is asking authorities to close the borders partially or completely and to have people entering the nation examined and quarantined if necessary.
Jose Adan Aguerri, president of the Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP), explained that among the measures taken by the companies for this emergency is the creation of a critical department so that the companies that the staff is working in three different places in case any of them is affected, have guns to measure the temperature of customers who come to the company and not allow them to enter with fever.
The closure of shopping centers, bars and discotheques, and the suspension of public transport, are some of the measures that began to take effect in the country on March 17, with the aim of containing the spread of covid-19.
The provisions are mandatory and will be in force from March 17 at 00:00 hours until March 31 this year at 24:00 hours, details the presidential agreement published in the Diario de Centroamerica.
Suspension of work for government and company workers, closure of businesses and shopping centers, as well as a ban on the operation of public transport, are some of the measures decreed in the country in view of the threat of the spread of covid-19.
Air, land and sea borders are closed throughout the country, and all sporting, cultural and social activities are cancelled, reported the Honduran presidency.
The passage of freight transport is being blocked by demonstrations held by Guatemalan teachers which have forced the closure of the customs offices of Pedro de Alvarado, San Cristobal and La Ermita.
The private sector grouped under the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (Cacif) has called for an end to the blockades that are already affecting Puerto Quetzal and the route to the border at Pedro de Alvarado, in Jutiapa, towards El Salvador.
The Government and the union agreed to meet in the coming days to resolve complaints made by the industry, which resulted in two days of strikes and business losses of at least $10 million.
The blockade by truckers on the border between Costa Rica and Panama, organized by the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation (Canacarga) and the Truckers Union of Chiriqui (Sicachi), was suspended on the night of February 16, after a party from the Government of Panama went from the capital to the province of Chiriqui.
The union has exhausted dialogue with the regional government of Chiriqui and is a blockading the border preventing the movement of freight carriers in Central America.
The provincial government in Chiriqui has failed to prevent Panamanian carriers, organized by the National Chamber of Cargo Transportation in Panama, (Canatraca) from indefinitely blocking the passage of trucks across the border in Paso Canoas (information at time of going to press at 3:30 p.m).
It has been reported that the passage of cargo and passengers through the border post of Peñas Blancas is closed due to the crisis caused by the presence of Cuban migrants in the area.
The Costa Rica union of importers reported that between November 16th and 17th several vans loaded with goods are being held up at the border post, waiting for the passage to be opened in both directions.
Conflicts of interest between carriers and the apathy of the authorities of Costa Rica and Panama have kept the border blocked for all regional trade.
EDITORIAL
It's not just that immigration and customs officials do not provide a 24 hour service, as is needed, and as occurs at other Central American borders, but that in Paso Canoas, the governments of Costa Rica and Panama are not exercising their authority in a responsible manner, resulting in conflicts for one reason or another, with consequent blockades and closures that produce serious economic losses not only for Panamanians and Costa Ricans, but also for all Central American companies whose imports or exports pass through this border.
Restrictions by Honduras, Guatemala and Panama on Nicaraguan beef exports have caused a reduction in revenues of about $60 million for exporters, who are demanding reciprocal measures to those countries.
Since 2010, Nicaraguan farmers have failed to collect about $60 million in profit due to the restrictions imposed by the authorities of Honduras, Panama and Guatemala on importing meat from Nicaragua, said industry leaders in the El Nuevo Diario.
For the second day various borders remain closed to cargo coming into the country.
Finance Ministry officials are on strike in protest against the headquarters of the entity, demanding compliance with employment benefits.
Immigration authorities said the strike does is not affecting people entering or leaving the country.
In addition, starting today, customs employees at Comalapa International Airport will join in the protest, without affecting the journeys by foreigners or Salvadorans who need to board a plane", reports Laprensagrafica.com
The Honduran Health Service has taken action against the outbreak of classical swine fever detected in Guatemala.
The border closure also applies to pork products and byproducts, except those that have had a special heat treatment.
"The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) certified that Honduras is free of classical swine fever thanks to the hard work of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG in Spanish), SENASA and the International Regional Organization for Animal Health (OIRSA in Spanish)", reported Latribuna.hn.
The collapse of a bridge has led to the closure of the customs office at Entre Ríos between Izabel in Guatemala and Honduras.
The Guatemalan Tax Revenue Authority (SAT) announced the indefinite closure yesterday. The customs authorities at El Florido in Camotán and at Agua Caliente in Esquipulas have been informed.
"Damage to the bridge located at kilometer 301 on the Interamerican Highway was reported on Friday and by Sunday the entire structure had fallen into the river," reports Prensalibre.com.
The proposal, from the ex-president of the Honduran National Business Council (Cohep), is designed to put pressure on Nicaragua to recognise the Lobo government.
If borders were to close, Nicaragua would face economic issues due to the fact that many of its export products leave via the Port of Cortés on the Caribbean coast of Honduras.
The proposal from the ex-president of Cohep does not surprise Francisco Aguirre Sacasa, Nicaraguan congressman, according to Elnuevodiario.com.ni. It writes that Sacasa had already warned of possible measures to put pressure on Ortega to recognise the Porfirio Lobo government.
Guatemala's highest court of law, the Constitutional Chamber, ruled in favor of the Chamber of Industries and Commerce.
On July, and by order of President Alvaro Colom, Guatemala closed its borders with Honduras. This action was deemed illegal by the supreme court, who warned Colom to 'refrain from doing similar actions', arguing that 'the only Guatemalan entity with the legal power to close the country's borders, for whatever reason, is the national Congress".