Costa Rica Announces New Plan to Face Pandemic

President Carlos Alvarado and Health Minister Daniel Salas

With just over 800 total people tested positive for Covid-19, and only 7 total deaths related to the virus, Costa Rica has done a tremendous job to control the outbreak.  The government has been both innovative and cautious in its handling of the virus, but residents are beginning to grow restless and desperate as they seek travel restrictions to ease up and reactivate the economy.

Today the government unveiled their plan to ease up on restrictions with new measures and protocols moving forward.  The Health Minister went out of his way to stress the importance of citizens and residents to maintain social distancing, using masks in public transit and be diligent with hand washing.  Driving restrictions have been expanded to 5am-10pm during the week and 5am-7pm on the weekends.  Beginning May 18th, beaches will be open but from just 5am-8am Monday through Friday, national parks will also be open at 50% occupancy and limited occupancy for hotels.

The next phases are simply estimated targets and are subject to how new cases develop during the month of May.  Based on their targets best case for the beaches opening up fully would be mid July and even then they would remain closed during the weekend.  Restaurants, hotels and other businesses would still continue with limited occupancy restrictions.

Not surprisingly the plan and measures remain very cautious as the President and his council remain concerned of Costa Rica’s ability to handle any significant surge of the virus.  These announcements do not indicate a good sign for the borders opening up soon.  As of now borders are closed till June 15th but it is most likely that date will be extended and anticipate it being quite some time till travelers can make their trip to Costa Rica.