Government Announces New Measures to the Operation of the Country

CP-306-2020 – April 27, 2020

• Cinemas, non-contact sports practice/training venues, gyms, and swimming schools may open on weekdays subject to certain conditions.
• The President of the Republic will issue a directive to the authorities to generate prevention and mitigation protocols allowing the reactivation and continuity of work centers, activities, and services.
• The authorities insisted on the need to promote teleworking as a priority in service facilities.
• Vehicle restriction will remain unchanged until May 15.
• The measures will be gradual and depend on the behavior observed and, if required, restrictions will be implemented again. A new evaluation on May 11 will determine whether more changes are necessary.

The Government announced the new guidelines, effective on May 1st, for the resuming of some activities under certain restrictions and until May 15.

These measures will be gradual and depend on the behavior observed and, if required, restrictions will be implemented again. A new evaluation on May 11 will determine whether more changes are necessary.

• The following activities will be permitted weekdays from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm:
  a) Cinemas and theaters with seat separation of at least 2 meters between each person (ticket office or electronic reservations).
  b) Non-contact sports practice/training venues with a maximum capacity of twenty-five percent (25%) of their normal occupancy.
  c) Gyms with a maximum capacity of twenty-five percent (25%) of their normal occupancy, with appointment scheduling and different hours for people with risk factors.
  d) Swimming schools with a maximum capacity of twenty-five percent (25%).

• The following activities will be permitted weekends from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm, in addition to the list of exceptions already issued:
  a) Beauty salons and barber shops, with a maximum capacity of fifty percent (50%) and by appointment only.
  b) Retail sale of motor vehicle/motorcycle parts, pieces, and accessories with a maximum capacity of fifty percent (50%)
  c) Parking lots.

Protocol for reactivation and continuity of work activities

On the other hand, President Carlos Alvarado issued a directive to all authorities from central and decentralized entities, to coordinate with all sectors on the creation of specific prevention and mitigation protocols leading to the reactivation and continuity of work centers, activities, and services.

These protocols must be built by the institutions and the sectors together, and the latter may present their own proposals to the Minister or Executive Chair, as appropriate.

Alvarado pointed out that “the fact that the protocol is in place does not imply that the activity may resume, as only the Ministry of Health will indicate when activities may resume.”

Once the activity is permitted, the Ministry of Health will carry out random inspections to ensure compliance with the protocol. Non-compliance with the general guidelines and specific protocols will entail the suspension of health operating permits for one calendar month.

Vehicle restriction will remain unchanged, that is, daytime, on weekdays from 5 a.m. at 7 p.m., based on license plate numbers plates, and nighttime from 7 p.m. at 5 a.m., with the exceptions known, and weekends (with odd number-ending plates driving on Saturdays and even number-ending plates on Sundays) from 5 a.m. at 7 p.m.

A list with general guidelines was also published where for every place of human activity:

1. Constant verification must take place to ensure that the protocols are being applied in all internal areas, with a focus on continuous improvement.
2. People with symptoms or signs of a cold or flu are prohibited from going to work, study, or meeting places.
3. Teleworking must be permanent where possible.
4. A response protocol must exist in case of a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, in such a way that timely attention can be provided, if required.
5. An internal communication mechanism must be implemented to keep all officials, clients, or members up to speed on any modification or update of internal or general measures.

Any activity found to be in breach of the established guidelines and protocols will entail the suspension of health operating permits for one calendar month. Repeat offenses will involve the indefinite suspension of the activity.

The facilities must have visible signs with coughing, sneezing, and hand washing protocols, among others. Toilets must be equipped with toilet paper, antibacterial soap, alcohol, or gel solution with a composition of at least 60%, paper towels for drying hands and drinking water.

Likewise, there must be a protocol in place with specifications regarding products to be used, frequency of use, and personal protective equipment, as well the correct way to dispose of residues and an action log must be kept.

With regard to ventilation, this must preferably be natural, in absence of which, though, the change of air conditioning filters, as specified, is mandatory.

Use of space

1. All spaces must operate at 50% of their capacity to ensure the 2-meter distance between people.
2. Workspaces must not be shared, even during sequential shifts.
3. Utensils or objects must not be shared in the workplace or meeting spaces.
4. Cleanliness and disinfection in the facilities are mandatory.
5. Frequently touched surfaces must be cleaned, frequently, with an alcohol solution of at least 70° or commercial disinfectants.
6. Those services that can be provided via appointments must follow this methodology.
7. Different opening hours in customer service centers must be established for vulnerable populations.
8. Meetings or people gathering must be virtual whenever possible. If in-person, these meetings must not exceed 1 hour.
9. Roles/schedules must be established in the institutions’ eating facilities, in order to maintain their capacity at 50%.
10. Home/vehicle delivery of goods and services is encouraged to reduce the number of customers going to a point of sale.
11. Work crews or production teams must be split in groups to ensure that there are “backup teams” able to guarantee production on all shifts.
12. Reduction or restriction of visits by external personnel to operation areas, or contractors, is to be observed, thus permitting only those related to critical issues.
13. If a worker meets the definition of a suspected case, they will not be allowed inside the workplace, must be provided with a face mask and instructed to go to the institution/company doctor’s office, or any other nearby health center for medical evaluation.