As of March 15th, the total number of cases of coronavirus in Panama has risen to 55. Also reported are the first 2 cases of the virus in the country's interior. One case in Colón and one in Santiago de Veraguas. Eighty percent of these cases are reported as mild.
Effective March 16th, Panama's airport will be closed to tourists. Nationals and residents arriving from outside the country will be placed on a mandatory 14 day home quarantine. Closure of all business establishments has also been ordered, except for supermarkets, pharmacies, medical centers and establishments that sell health products, gasoline and food. Restaurant dining areas will be closed, but food delivery services will be permitted. Personnel are requested to wear masks. Access to beaches, public pools, rivers and swimming holes are prohibited. Children's parks, theaters, party halls, sports facilities, and convention centers are also ordered closed. Establishments that are allowed to remain open will be expected to limit the number of persons in their interiors to less than 50, violators will be sanctioned, and there will be police monitoring for compliance. In a situation where lines may form to enter a business or establishment, people must maintain a distance of 1.5 meters between each other.
Panamanians in Panama City have been instructed NOT to travel to the interior of the country and a warning has been issued that if these instructions are not observed, the possibility of health safety barriers may be entertained.
Statistics involving current confirmed cases are as follows: 44 cases classified as mild and on home isolation. 10 cases hospitalized, 6 in critical care and 4 on a regular ward. 30 women are affected and 25 men are affected.
