Arguing that the significant progress achieved to control the Covid-19 pandemic is put at risk, the Panamanian government decided to temporarily suspend the entry into its territory by land, sea and river, of all persons coming from the border with Colombia.
The Republic of Panama expresses its concern regarding the decision of the Government of the Republic of Colombia, contained in the Resolution of the Ministry of the Interior 0667 of May 19, 2021, by which they determine the opening of the maritime, land and fluvial crossings in the common border, highlights an official statement.
The authorities decided to reopen the land borders to the transit of persons, who will be required to undergo a PCR or antigen test with a negative result for covid-19 within 48 hours of entering Panamanian territory.
In accordance with the provisions of Executive Decree No. 61 of January 8, 2021, issued by the Ministry of Health, the National Immigration Service announced the reopening of land borders for the entry and exit of nationals of the Republic of Panama, residents and foreigners who are in its territory, informed the National Immigration Service.
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.
Costa Rican truckers have lifted the blockade which they were holding at Paso Canoas confident that the Panamanian authorities will comply with the agreements signed.
The truckers decided to end the five-day strike held in Paso Canoas and are hoping that the Costa Rican government will not permit them to suffer any more abuses by the State Border Service (SENAFRONT).
An agreement signed between the foreign ministries of Costa Rica and Panama was not enough for the Costa Rican truckers to lift the blockade in Paso Canoas, which has gone on for five days.
Juan Carlos Segura, a spokesman for the carriers, said that the 300 trucks at the border will remain in place because the compromise agreed by the ministers is a joke and does not address the abuses of the State Border Service of Panama (SENAFRONT).
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.
Costa Rican transporters have blocked the Paso Canoas border alleging abuses in the controls carried out by Panamanian authorities.
The measure taken by the Costa Ricans have already caused millions in losses due to delays in the arrival of cargo and damage to goods. For this reason the National Chamber of Panamanian Cargo Transporters (Canatraca) has asked the authorities concerned to solve a problem which has returned only five months after an agreement was signed between the two nations.
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.