No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica announces new measures to slow spread of coronavirus

Costa Rica announces new measures to slow spread of coronavirus

Costa Rican authorities on Thursday announced a new set of measures to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus within the country’s borders.

The news comes as Health Minister Daniel Salas confirmed the country’s 23rd case of COVID-19. The new case was identified in a Costa Rican healthcare worker, Salas said.

Costa Rican health authorities announced the following new measures:

  • The government will issue preventative closures of education centers that meet certain risk factors — including those with epidemiological links to COVID-19 or with water shortages. Full details will be announced Friday, with closures starting next week.
  • Public spaces should operate at a maximum of 50% capacity. The capacity limit applies to public transportation, restaurants and movie theaters.
  • The general public should remain at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) away from others.
  • International business travel for public workers has been suspended. The private sector is “urged to act along the same lines.”

The above instructions are in addition to previously announced measures suspending mass gatherings and telling employees to work from home when possible.

President Carlos Alvarado said the decisions taken by the Emergency Operations Center will allow the country to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 without paralyzing the country.

“The responsibility is with all of us,” said President Alvarado. “The objective of protecting us as a country doesn’t depend on the Health Ministry or on the Caja, but on all of us.”

Salas emphasized again Thursday that Costa Rica will not close its borders to international visitors.

This is a developing story and may be updated. 

Trending Now

San Jose Airport Achieves Top 5 Global Ranking in Passenger Experience

Juan Santamaría International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica's main gateway managed by AERIS, has earned the prestigious Level 5 Customer Experience certification from...

In Costa Rica, Rare White-Lipped Peccaries Still Survive

Today we meet the white-lipped peccary, a large animal that travels in large groups that has disappeared from a large part of its historical...

FBI Recordings Reveal Costa Rica Ex-Minister Celso Gamboa’s Drug Ties

Costa Rican authorities continue to hold former security minister Celso Gamboa in custody as U.S. officials push for his extradition on drug charges. Recent...

Honduras Community Demands Justice in Environmental Murder Case

Three defendants accused of murdering an environmental activist in Honduras 11 months ago appeared before a court this Thursday for a preliminary hearing, the...

Guatemala Prisons Erupt in Violence With Guards and Workers Taken Hostage

Gang members rioted this Friday in two prisons in Guatemala and took several guards and civilian employees hostage, a week after uprisings in which...

El Salvador Schools Enforce Military-Style Uniform Inspections

El Salvador's public schools will start enforcing daily inspections for students' uniforms and haircuts from August 20, as ordered by the new education minister,...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica