Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (March 17, 2020)
Location: Panama
Event:
On March 16, the Panamanian Ministry of Health announced 69 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Panama.
The government of Panama has implemented enhanced screening and quarantine measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Panama has barred admission to individuals who are not citizens or residents. All incoming travelers are subject to a mandatory 14-day in-home quarantine. Transiting travelers who do not leave the airport are being permitted to continue their journeys. Visit the website of the Panamanian Ministry of Health (in Spanish) for additional information on these new measures.
The government of Panama has implemented measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. Schools and universities are closed nation-wide until March 20 and in San Miguelito, Panama Centro, and Panama Norte they will remain closed until April 7. Sporting events, festivals, and all gatherings larger than 50 people have been banned. Visit the local government COVID-19 website for updated information.
Effective March 17, U.S. Embassy Panama has suspended routine consular services. For emergency American Citizens Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information.
The Department of State has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory for COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice
U.S. government personnel are restricted from non-essential domestic and international travel.
The Embassy is aware that various municipal and provincial governments, including the Provincial Government of Chiriqui, have announced their curfews. As of yet, the national authorities have not issued curfew orders to the national police.
Actions to Take:
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
- For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC’s latest recommendations.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Check with your airlines or cruise lines regarding any updated information about your travel plans and/or restrictions.
- Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19 for information on conditions in Panama.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama
Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue
Clayton, Panama
+507 317-5000
Panama-ACS@state.gov
https://pa.usembassy.gov/ - State Department – Consular Affairs
+1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 - Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
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