The Vehicle Restriction And Exceptions

Note: Starting on May 16, the nationwide vehicle restriction, runs from 7 p.m to 5 a.m on weekends and 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weeknights.

Attention: Only these vehicles will be permitted in traffic nationwide from 10:00 p.m.–5 a.m. 

• To be enforced nationwide between 10:00 p.m – 5 a.m.

• Emergency, press or food transportation vehicles are exempted

Ministry of Public Health CNE  MOPT

LISTED BELOW ARE THE EXCEPTIONS FOR THE VEHICLE RESTRICTION 

ESTABLISHED IN ARTICLE 3 OF THIS EXECUTIVE DECREE:

a) Transport of cargo/merchandise

b) Public passenger transportation vehicles (taxis, buses, minibuses) or special transportation (workers and airports) as authorized by the Public Transportation Council (CTP), which hold current public service/cargo taxi license plates) as duly authorized by the Public Transportation Council (CTP).

c) Any public or private sector employee whose shift begins and/or ends -or is comprised- between the hours of 22:00-05:00, which includes the start/end of the shift or the time required to travel during the working hours as duly verified. Any such employees starting or ending their shift will be allowed to use privately-owned transportation or any of the types of transportation listed under subsection b).

d) Fuel supply/service vehicles

e) Waste collection vehicles

f) Vehicles owned by construction companies required to carry out their tasks

g) Official use, emergency and police vehicles required to carry out their tasks

h) Support and maintenance personnel required in the operation and care of public services, including ICE, AyA, Incofer, Civil Aviation, National Power and Light Company (CNFL), Correos de Costa Rica, Recope, amongst others

i) Any official vehicles of the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) and the National Roadway Council (CONAVI)

j) Funeral service vehicles to be used for that specific activity as duly evidenced.

k) Duly identified food and pharmacy delivery and veterinary emergency vehicles

l) Duly identified private security vehicles and/or for the transfer and custody of securities, including technical support and assistance

m) Vehicles owned by emergency personnel, Red Cross, Costa Rican Fire Department, CNE, CCSS, Ministry of Public Health and/or any international organizations assisting in the COVID-19 state of emergency care or any emergencies falling within their own scope of service, all of whom must be uniformed and carry their official identification.

n) Members of the Supreme Powers carrying out official duties

o) Vehicles owned by international missions, diplomatic corps and consular service

p) Judicial Branch personnel whose working hours are between the 22:00 p.m.-05:00 timeframe as duly evidenced

q) Healthcare personnel whose working hours are between the 22:00 p.m.-05:00 timeframe as duly evidenced

r) Indispensable telephone company/carrier employees (duly identified)

s) Indispensable press and mass media distribution employees (duly identified).  

t) Personal vehicles if required in an emergency related to the life and/or health of a person, for which transportation to a pharmacy of hospital if necessary.

 (CRHoy.com). The sanitary vehicle restriction will be effective as of this Tuesday between 10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m. Wednesday and applicable nationwide, not only in the Great Metropolitan Area (GAM).

This temporary measure announced Monday by the Executive Branch authorities aims at reducing night-time road traffic in order to contain the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.

The fine for violation of this guideline will be in the amount of 22,000 colones. In addition to the Traffic Police, this measure may be enforced by municipal police officers in traffic control units.

¿Who is exempted from this restriction? As indicated in Tuesday’s press conference held by Executive Branch officers, Public Security Minister Michael Soto provided the following guidelines:

• This measure will be effective until April 12.

• It will be enforced nationwide, from border to border and sea to sea.

• It will apply to regular traffic, therefore transportation from the production sector and emergency institutions are excluded.

• It will be enforced from Monday through Sunday.

Exceptions

Only the vehicles below will be permitted in traffic during this period:

• Transport of cargo/merchandise, public transportation vehicles or passenger transportation vehicles as authorized by CTP, as well as any public or private sector employee whose shift begins and/or ends between 10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.

• Fuel supply/service vehicles and waste collection vehicles from construction companies

• ICE, AyA, Incofer, CNFL, Correos de Costa Rica, Recope, MOPT, CONAVI and DGAC vehicles, funeral service, food delivery, private security and/or transfer and custody of securities.

• Vehicles owned by emergency personnel, firefighters, Red Cross, CCSS, Ministry of Public Health taking part in emergency care

• Members of the Supreme Powers, international missions, Judicial Branch members and healthcare personnel whose working hours are between 10:00 p.m.-5:00 a.m.; indispensable telephone company employees (duly identified), indispensable press and mass media distribution employees (duly identified)

Personal vehicles if required in a health emergency involving transportation to a pharmacy or hospital.