The President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele expressed his concern about the negligence and inaction of the Daniel Ortega government in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, which shows that he is aware of the situation in Nicaragua it has endeavored to execute a “plan for spread “of the coronavirus and the least they do is prevention.
President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele says he is concerned about the negligence and inaction of the Daniel Ortega
“Personally, I am a little afraid of what is happening in Mexico and Nicaragua … for the simple fact of not having social distancing measures, or any restrictions, could make the catastrophe greater since when they come to take the measures are not going to stop what comes next,” Bukele warned.
The Salvadoran president added when presenting the updated case report in El Salvador, “the numbers can be devastating in people’s health, the collapse of the health system and the economic collapse, but I do not see that mathematically it will not happen, they could happen miracles but I don’t see what will happen.”
Bukele decreed a national quarantine for 30 days, which will be effective as of tonight, March 21. At the same time, it announced relief measures for self-employed people, who will receive a transfer of US$300 to buy food. This applies to those who consume less than 250 kilowatts of energy per month.
A Costa Rican man, who is suspected of COVID-19, and in breach of his quarantine, was arrested when trying to leave the country through the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste.
The Tico had to be isolated since last Thursday. Photo courtesy of the immigration service
The information was confirmed by Costa Rica’s immigration service, the Dirección de Migración y Extranjería (DGME).
The man, whose identity was not made public, was under an isolation order to be at home when tried to leave the country, putting the other population at risk. He was transferred to a center of the Ministry of Health.
“It is an obligation to comply with sanitary orders for both Costa Ricans and residents. This is for national security at the health level, and the Migration Police will continue to monitor the respect of these movements at the immigration control posts,” said Raquel Vargas, Director of Immigration.
“When the individual was planning to board a flight, he was intercepted by representatives of Immigration and Air Surveillance, who consulted his name in databases and determined that he has suspicions of COVID-19,” explained the Director.
The authorities urge the population not to commit irresponsible acts like this, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Failing to comply with a Health order constitutes a crime punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison or a fine of 50 to 200 days.
On Friday, the Ministry of Health eliminated the ability of those under quarantine to leave isolation to go buy food and medicines, now only permitted is to seek medical attention.
The Ministry of Health updated this Friday the “General guidelines for home isolation for Costa Ricans, residents and diplomats who enter the country due to the health alert for Coronavirus (COVID-19)” and eliminated the exit permit to buy food or medications.
The more than 3,000 people so far who have received a health order since arriving in Costa Rica after the closing of the borders on March 18, that allows only Costa Ricans, legal residents and diplomats to enter the country, will only be able to leave their registered isolation location to seek medical attention.
Violating the health order constitutes a crime punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison or a fine of 50 to 200 days, according to article 277 of the Penal Code.
Anyone with knowledge of a health order violation should report it to 911.
In its first guidelines, the Ministry of Health allowed those in isolation to buy medicine or food, with the obligation of wearing a mask and carry alcohol gel.
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PERSON IN QUARANTINE
Nationals, legal residents or diplomats who enter Costa Rica while the borders are closed (to April 12) will be subject to the following obligations
Availability of a telephone in the home or cell phone, which guarantees permanent communication with health personnel to follow up, coordinate visits, or make care possible in the event that symptoms related to COVID-19 develop.
Try to ensure that relatives with risk conditions (older adults, with chronic diseases, immunosuppressed, hypertensive, risk conditions due to lung disease) can stay with other relatives in another house, while the person is in isolation
Frequently touched surfaces (bedside tables, bed frame, bedroom furniture), bathroom and toilet areas should be cleaned with disposable material and disinfected daily with a household disinfectant or alcohol-based solution to a 70% grade.
Both the person in isolation and their family members must be able to understand and apply correctly and consistently the basic hygiene, prevention and infection control measures found on this website.
The common areas of the home must be kept well ventilated and hygiene measures must be intensified.
The quarantined person must remain in a room for individual use. The room should have adequate ventilation direct to the street (ie a window). There should be no recirculated air currents from heating or cooling systems.
It is recommended in case it has availability, that the person has a bathroom for exclusive use, or failing that, it must be cleaned with chlorine each time it is used by the patient
inside the room a garbage can should be placed, with a pedal opening lid, and a plastic bag that closes hermetically for waste.
It is recommended to have cleaning utensils for individual use and products for hand hygiene, soap and water will be used, in the event that this is not available, alcohol-based solutions with a degree of 70% can be used.
Towels and cloths should be changed periodically whenever they are damp, it is recommended to use paper towels for hand drying preferably.
The person should not leave their place of isolation under any circumstances, except to seek medical attention.
Learn about handwashing, sneezing, and coughing protocols, not touching your face, and other ways to say hello.
Stay informed through official media about the situation of COVID-19 in Costa Rica and avoid risky situations that may cause anxiety.
The Costa Rica delegation, on the left, met with their Nicaraguan counterparts (right) at the Peñas Blancas border.
In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, officials from Costa Rica and Nicaragua gathered a Peñas Blancas border to discuss mutual issues in dealing with the coronaviurs covid-19.
The Costa Rica delegation, (left), met with their Nicaraguan counterparts (right) at the Peñas Blancas border.
The Costa Rican Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting through a tweet, “a technical meeting to reinforce prevention and health surveillance measures at border points.”
La Cancillería confirma que, ante la situación internacional causada por la propagación del #COVID19, autoridades de #CostaRica y #Nicaragua realizan, este sábado 21 de marzo, una #reunióntécnica para reforzar medidas de prevención y vigilancia sanitaria en los puntos fronterizos
— Cancillería Costa Rica 🇨🇷 (@CRcancilleria) March 21, 2020
Participating in the meeting was Costa Rica’s Health Minister Daniel Salas, Security Minister Michael Soto and Foreign Minister, Rodolfo Solan, among others, who met their Nicaraguan counterparts.
The issues at hand were health, border security and immigration in anticipation of Semana Santa, a time when border crossings are its peak, as Nicaraguans head for the homeland for the holidays.
President Carlos Alvarado held a covid-19 briefing Saturday from his office, accompanied by officials of the Minsitry of Health
The confirmed cases of the coronavirus covid-19 in Costa Rica reached 117, according to the report by the Ministry of Health this Saturday, March 21 at noon. An increase of 4 over the previous day, when 113 cases were confirmed.
President Carlos Alvarado held a covid-19 briefing Saturday from his office, accompanied by officials of the Ministry of Health. Every day before 1 pm the government holds briefings to update on the coronavirus covid-19 in Costa Rica
In a mid-day, Saturday covid-19 briefing, Rodrigo Marín, director of Health Surveillance at the Ministry of Health said: “we cannot let our guard down.”
“This does not mean that the battle is won and that nothing is going to happen in this country, it is a phenomenon that is happening worldwide, there are world powers such as Italy, Spain, the United States and France to name just a few are enrolled in a giant public health problem.
“Costa Rica had a good number today (only four more confirmed cases), but it would be normal for it to increase,” said Marín.
The director emphasized that 135 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours, so the reduction in positives is not due to the fact that evaluations are not being carried out among the suspected patients.
He added that even with these data they expect an increase in the number of patients in the coming days.
Lastly, Marín guaranteed that Costa Rica has enough tests for the covid-19 among the population.
Of the 117 positive patients, 107 are Costa Rican and 10 are foreigners. The count by sex is 48 women (41%) and 69 men (59%) in an age range of 2 to 87.
1,190 people have been ruled (tested negative and 2 patients have recuperated, the first two cases in the country, on March 6, an American couple arriving from New York. The wife became ill, while the husband, though testing positive, never displayed any symptoms.
The cantons on the list are: Alajuela, San José, Escazú, Santa Ana, Curridabat, Grecia, La Unión, Poás, Cartago, Desamparados, Heredia, Moravia, Montes de Oca, Nicoya, Pérez Zeledón, San Pablo, Coronado, San Carlos, Santa Cruz, Tibás, Atenas, Barva, Limón, San Rafael, Santa Barbara y Santo Domingo.
Alajuela leads with the most number of cases (25), followed by San Jose (12), Escazu (11) and Santa Ana (7); the rest of the cantons range from one to five cases each.
Puntarenas continues to be the only province without a confirmed case.
Costa Rica has reported two deaths due to the covid-19.
The Saturday afternoon update was from President Carlos Alvarado’s office, the second virtual conference, as the President explained the effort is to limit the movement of people, such as reporters and mass gatherings. As on Friday, reporters asked questions online.
Costa Rica’s Health Minister Daniel Salas in meeting with his Nicaraguan counterparts on Saturday. Photo 100% Noticias
Absent from the briefing was Health Minister Daniel Salas, who according to Alvarado was in bilateral meetings with authorities in Nicaragua and Panama on issues of security, border controls, health, and immigration.
Costa Rica is stocked
President Alvarado emphasized that the country is well stocked and has “sufficient reserves” of fuel and that the supply is not at risk.
The statement was based on the decision of the MINAE, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, authorizing gasoline stations to close between 10 pm and 6 am daily.
Alvarado said the closing of the “night shift” was at the request of the gasoline retailers based on a marked drop in the consumption of fuels, as the population is one, staying home as being recommended and driving less.
“We want to be emphatic that we are not facing a fuel shortage,” said the President.
Also, from Wednesday, March 18 at 11:59 pm, all Costa Ricans, legal residents and diplomats who enter the country receive a health order that forces them to remain isolated for 14 days to prevent the spread of the virus.
In parallel, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS) – Costa Rican Social Security Fund- began a race to increase the installed capacity of the country’s medical centers with the provision of additional beds in tents, mobile hospitals and the conditioning of the National Rehabilitation Center (Cenare), located in La Uruca, San José, to attend, in the coming weeks, only positive patients for covid-19.
The Cenare will have the capacity to hospitalize 88 patients and will have four surgery rooms if necessary, relieving pressure on hospitals. That site will operate with a staff of 300, including doctors, nurses, clerks, and maintenance workers.
Don Roberto Galva, third from left to right, shook hands with Pope John Paul II. Photo: Courtesy
The family of Dr. Roberto Galva Jiménez, the first deceased by the coronavirus in Costa Rica, following the tradition of solidarity instilled by the doctor, decided to cremate the body as part of the fight against Covid-19.
Don Roberto Galva, right, shaking hands with Pope John Paul II. Photo: Courtesy
The family accepted with all responsibility the measures of the Ministry of Health to avoid conglomeration. Juan Carlos Galva Rodríguez, son of Don Roberto, stated that they are Catholics and are waiting for the right moment to carry out the memorial for their father.
“We are Catholics and let this be clear in your report, it is a death from coronavirus, it is a contagious disease, it is a matter of public health and we as a family and aware of what is happening, immediately request the cremation,” Galva Rodríguez told La Teja and other media.
With the agglomeration activities being inhibited, we are waiting for this to pass and for the health emergency to be lifted to hold a mass, an act of remembrance, but when it is possible,” Don Juan Carlos stated.
Galva added that the hardest part is the isolation of the family, the only way to prevent other families from going through a similar situation.
“We know the importance of the matter, but, although it is painful, deserves to be taken with caution,” he added.
Don Juan Carlos said that his father should be remembered as an extraordinarily rigid, disciplined and tenacious man.
“He was very intolerant of mediocrity, he could not bear it, he criticized it harshly and at the same time though being such a strict man, I can say that he was a man who had the biggest heart in the world,” he added.
He commented that the family generally found out about good things he did, but long after he did them because he did not say them, but acted in good faith and without showing off.
Dr. Roberto Galva Jiménez was infected by his daughter who works at the Alajuela hospital by one of the first infected in the country, who has infected some 16 others.
Dr. Roberto Galva Jiménez was infected by direct contact at the Alajuela hospital, by his daughter, an employee at the medical center and two more members of this family nucleus are also infected.
“This was not a community-acquired infection,” said Don Juan Carlos, explaining that this person infected his sister and she passed it on to her mother and father.
“This person who brought the virus from outside was an infective of sixteen people, of the first twenty-two cases that occurred,” he said.
Don Juan Carlos added that he cannot say if that person infected others due to lack of care, ignorance or for some reason because it would fall into speculation and it is a complicated issue.
“What I can say is that my sister did not associate the symptoms they were having with the coronavirus. There was not, within our system, an alert where people were told in a very emphatic way (at that time), ‘See, if you have this, this and this … this is it,’ he said.
“I don’t even blame the authorities, this virus spreads so fast and is so aggressive (…),” he
Dr. Roberto Galva Jiménez
added.
He said that his sister’s mother, also infected, has Alzheimer’s, so she is not very aware of this harsh situation of the virus.
Remembering the good doctor
Don Roberto (Dr. Roberto Galva Jiménez) was a very prestigious doctor, a friend of Longino Soto at the time and, like him, a fan of Alajuelense (Alajuela soccer team).
He worked 45 years for the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS); Most of his time in the Alajuela hospital.
He was also deputy director of the Hospital Nacional de Niño (National Children’s Hospital) and interim director, he was also proposed as Minister of Health, but he did not recall in what period or whose administration, according to his son.
Both state (public) and private banks in Costa Rica have announced flex repayment of loans and credit card debt, a reduction in interest rates and other measures to help customers get through the coronavirus covid-19 pandemic.
Depending on the financial institution, customers the BAC for example, can postpone payments for two months (March and April or April and May) without incurring penalties or interest charges and not affect credit history.
At some banks, persons directly affected (assuming they are infected) will receive special treatment on their loan and mortgage payments. Again, all to be made up at some time in the future.
In addition, some banks have announced special hours during the national emergency. At the BCR, for example, branches will close at 2 pm daily (mall branches at 6 pm), and closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
ATM machines are open and serviced, all banks are recommending online services to pay bills, transfer money and so get information on accounts and services.
Important, banks do not call you by phone to ask for personal information, don’t fall victim to identity theft or have your bank account cleaned out by scammers taking advantage of the times were are currently living in.
If you need to go to the bank personally, remember to practice social distancing, avoid crowds and, maybe I am overreacting, handle money carefully.
By Thursday many heeded to the scolding by the Minister of Health, that this is not the time to be on the beaches.
As you can see from the above photos I took Thursday morning, around 9 am, only a few people took in the beach. As it should be during this national emergency.
What was I doing there? Duty called, I was tasked to help a tourist get to the San Jose airport for her flight home.
Look up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s “La Negrita” (La Virgen de los Ángeles). Yes, the Patron Saint of Costa Rica will be taking to the air this weekend, flown all over the entire country, in order to motivate Costa Ricans to implement actions that mitigate the impact of the new coronavirus.
The Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica announced the novel idea on Friday, detailing that the overflights will in an aircraft of the Air Surveillance Service of the Ministerio de Seguridad
This morning, March 21, the Virgen took at 6:30 am, it is expected to fly over Puriscal, Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, San Isidro del General (Perez Zeledon), Valle de la Estrella, Limon and back to the Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose by 3:40 pm.
On Sunday, March 22, take off will be at 8:30 am from San Jose airport, fly over the Central Valley and land in Cartago, the home of La Negrita (as she is popularly referred to), by 12:30 pm.
We can all take part in this activity, from your home it is hoped, by waving a handkerchief (the Episcopal said people can use a mirror, but not sure that is a good idea, a it can affect the pilots), in order to avoid crowds.
The rector of the Basilica of the Angels, José Francisco Arias Salguero, will be with La Negrita in the company of two ushers (custodians of the Virgin of Los Angeles) and will be responsible for conducting prayers during flights.
During the tour, high-quality photographs and videos will be taken, which will be shared with the different media and citizens in general, through social networks. The Q will publish them as soon as they are available.
Never reveal sensitive information about your bank accounts. No Treasury or bank official will call you by phone to request access codes, for example. Image: Shutterstock.
The Minister of Finance, Rodrigo Chaves, alerted this Friday about a new scam in which scammers use as an excuse the tax moratorium proposed by the Government to mitigate the adverse effects of covid-19, in order to request confidential information via phone.
Never reveal sensitive information about your bank accounts. No Treasury or bank official will call you by phone to request access codes, for example. Image: Shutterstock.
“It hurts me a lot to have to tell you that there are scammers trying to take advantage of the situation we are experiencing in the country with the covid-19. We introduced a tax moratorium at the Treasury to help, however, there are malicious people, scoundrels, I say, calling the citizenry to ask them for personal and bank information,” said Chaves.
The Treasury reported that it also does not request taxpayers to install programs on their computer equipment by telephone.
People can report this type of deception by calling the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial at 800-8000-645.
Read the entire article (in Spanish) at La Nacion.
Estados Unidos fue un país muy golpeado por la gripe española. Por ejemplo, el auditorio municipal de Oakland se usó temporalmente como hospital. Foto: Edward A. "Doc" Rogers/Biblioteca Pública de Oakland/Wikimedia Commons.
1918 is the year in which the First World War ends and the world begins to be plagued by one of the great pandemics of the 20th century: the so-called “Spanish flu”, an influenza that in two years killed between 25 and 50 million of people and infected more than 500 million human beings.
The United States was a country badly hit by the Spanish flu. For example, the Oakland Municipal Auditorium was temporarily used as a hospital. Photo: Edward A. “Doc” Rogers / Oakland Public Library / Wikimedia Commons.
In small Costa Rica, a nation with less than 500,000 inhabitants, the disease raged in 1920, in March, precisely a century ago, a fearsome month.
The so-called Spanish flu wreaked havoc in the country exactly 100 years ago: it left almost 2,300 dead, canceled theaters and dances, postponed the school year and tested an incipient health system …
Abroad, the pandemic, believed by some to have originated in the United States, others in China and some in France, struck troops in combat, move between soldiers and the population affected (civilians and workers) by the war, and it advanced unstoppably across the planet.
Why was it called the Spanish Flu? Not because it arose in Spain or because it was the country hardest hit by the pandemic, but because the Spanish media were the first to report sick people with this influenza.
In the First World War, Spain was neutral, while other countries involved handled the information about the sick with great secrecy during the war so as not to affect the morale of their combatants.
The “foreign flu”, as it was said in the then Tica (Costa Rican) press, entered Costa Rica through Limón, our main port, where the vapors loaded with merchandise from abroad and passengers from places infested with the virus arrived and followed the route of the Atlantic trains to spread throughout the national territory.
The population came from the Tinoco dictatorship (1917-1919), in which mortality increased and life expectancy decreased. It had food problems, village doctors had been eliminated; there were many places without sewers, there was no Ministry Health. We were affected by typhoid, malaria, dysentery and other diseases.
On February 22 it is news in the national newspapers that influenza was raging in Limón; however, virus sufferers had begun to be detected earlier.
“Dr. Antonio Facio in charge of the Limón Hospital, owned by the United Fruit Company, attended to the first cases ten days before the news, his opinion was that it was benign. The Hospital registered the admission of some 45 cases, 4 with fatal outcome, who had arrived with bronchopneumonia and other complications, advanced anemia, and malaria. Dr. Rubén Umaña, Head of Health, and the other doctor in the city of 6,628 inhabitants attended to 80 patients,” says Costa Rican historian Ana María Botey in an article about this epidemic in the Journal of Latin American Studies Americania.
Population in poor condition
“Let’s remember that the population was not in the best conditions. It came from the Tinoco dictatorship (1917-1919), in which mortality increased and life expectancy decreased. The population had food problems, the village doctors had been eliminated; there were many places without sewers, there was no Ministry of Health. We were affected by typhoid, malaria, dysentery, and other diseases. There were serious hygienic problems in the poor neighborhoods ”, explains Botey, when talking about this epidemic that she has studied a lot.
According to the press and documents of the time, the Government put a budget to clean the different areas and provide medicines to village doctors and civil society organizations. In addition, the population was asked to improve hygiene, remove animals from their rooms, clean and whitewash lots, and clean ditches.
Although historians do not agree on the figure, it has been said that there were between 25 and 50 million deaths from the Spanish flu around the world. In Costa Rica, 2,298 deaths were attributed to the Spanish Flu. Photo: LN Archive.
The Higher Health Council was created to deal with the disease.
“The first proposal of the medical community was to establish a Higher Health Council, since there was no centralizing body, but health issues were the concern of the municipalities located in the head of each canton and various dependencies of the Sub Secretariat of Police: the Department of Ankylostomiasis, the School Health Department and town medications,” the historian details.
The residents of Turrialba, Cartago, San José, Heredia and the rest of the country fell sick, which is known from the reports of the village doctors requested by the Ministry of the Interior. In the poor neighborhoods, the mustard and vinegar poultices used to disinfect were no longer available. “They were very poorly prepared,” says Botey.
March came and it was a very hard month. The dead and infected increased. Given the gravity of the situation, the Council affirms that it is a national emergency, therefore the measures were tightened, although people were upset with many of the provisions.
“Among the first initiatives taken, after issuing the necessary instructions for the public to learn to recognize influenza, the symptoms, and treatments, at the beginning of March, the closure of theaters and temples was ordered, no major gatherings of more than 10 people, dances and paeos (walks), as well as the postponement of the school year that started on the first Monday in March. News of the disease’s progression continued across the country. This measure was criticized by different sectors, including those expected by the operetta companies that would perform at the National Theater,” Botey wrote in her investigation.
History repeats itself; any resemblance to today may not be coincidental.
The teachers were a real battalion during the national emergency.
Despite the suspension, religious activities, the patronal festivities continued, which was widely criticized in the newspapers.
The national emergency became official on March 9. The call was to contribute to the general well-being and that “teachers, doctors, pharmacists, nurses and volunteers” join the Health and Relief Boards in order to support hygiene and sanitation issues in the municipalities. These boards collected funds to help respond to the emergency and distributed medicines, disinfectants (creolin and formaldehyde, for example) and food with the help of their volunteers.
“The teachers were a real battalion,” says Botey.
An emergency hospital was also opened in San José, run by Anita Tristán and attended by nurses Anita Cantillano, Leonor de Espinosa, Adelina Mora and Marta Pacheco. It was located in a girls’ school in the capital city.
With all the measures taken, 2,298 people were killed in the country due to the Spanish flu, in March 1920 alone there were 1,200 deaths from this epidemic, according to data from the Memoria de Gobernación, published in 1921.
Why so many deaths?
There were no health institutions, no adequate health infrastructure, and no such precise measures to prevent contagion, as they do now, explains the historian.
After this national emergency, which lasted until April 1920, important initiatives emerged: in 1922 the Sub Secretariat for Hygiene and Public Health was created, in charge of Solón Núñez, and in 1923 legislation with the characteristics of a health code was enacted.
This article was translated from La Nacion’s Ancora “El temible marzo de 1920: hace un siglo, Costa Rica afrontó el peor golpe de otra pandemia”. Read the original article (in Spanish).
The comedy group La Media Docena has made the movie “Maikol Yordan de Viaje Perdido” available to its followers through its YouTube channel. And for FREE.
The personalities of the group have also developed some videos with messages to encourage the population to protect themselves from Covid-19.
“Maikol Yordan de Viaje Perdido” (“Michael Jorand on Lost Travel) is a family comedy about the adventure of a Costa Rican peasant (Mario Chacon), when faced with the prospects of losing his farm, embarks in a journey to Europe to raise enough money to pay his debts meeting new acquaintances, lost relatives and himself.
When the family farm is about to be sold by the evil banker G.F. Malavassi (Adal Ramones), in order to raise money to pay the debt, Maikol, a naive and good-natured Costa Rican farmer, takes part in contests and wins a journey to Europe – London, Paris and Rome – where his big adventure begins.
The film was released in 2014, filmed on locations in Costa Rica, Mexico, England, Italy and France.
The film became the most-watched Costa Rican film in history.
Watch it right on the Q while it’s still available for free on Youtube.
Bars are closed. Everyone is asked to stay at home. But it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a cold one. So more than thirty Costa Rican craft breweries joined forces to bring their brands right to your door.
The initiative seeks to boost their businesses, but at the same time motivate people to stay at home.
The project is from the Association of Craft Brewers of Costa Rica (Asociación de Cerveceros Artesanales de Costa Rica), each of its associates is taking orders via phone or WhatsApp.
The complete list of the breweries and their contact numbers that are providing the service is available at acacr.net.
The service is available in different areas of the country from the Greater Metropolitan Area to Guanacaste and Ciudad Quesada.
Most orders require a minimum of beer, usually around six.
From today, Saturday, March 21, the state bank, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR), will have special hours in order to take care of the health of its clients and employees.
The new hours are:
All branches nationwide will be open only from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Branches shopping centers be open Monday to Friday, at 2 p.m. at 6 p.m
No BCR branch in the country will be open on Saturdays and Sundays,
All BCR branches will be closed during Semana Santa (Easter Week April 5 to 11)
In addition, starting on Monday, March 23, all branches will between 8 am and 9 am will exclusively attend adults 65 and over, pregnant women and people with reduced abilities.
The bank said these changes will continue while the national emergency is in effect.
Online banking is open at www.bancobcr.com or BCR Mobile App at all hours.
The Ministry of Health reported this Friday that the number of people infected in the country reached 113: of which 46 are women and 67 men.
They are 104 Costa Ricans and 7 foreigners affected in 27 cantones. Of the infected, 97 are adults, 9 seniors and 7 minors. They are found in six provinces, Puntarenas continues case free,
Six of the infected are hospitalized, two of them in intensive care.
The information was disclosed in the first virtual press onference from Casa Presidencial since the covid-19 emergency began in Costa Rica.
The intention was to prevent the press and others from moving and crowding, at the risk of contagion. The press will, after the presentation of the various authorities, to ask questions by way of WhatsApp.
In addition, the Health Minister confirmed that the two foreigners, the two Americans and the first cases in Costa Rica, have completed their quarantine period and have been given the green light to leave the country.
For his part, the Ministry of Public Security, Michael Soto, reminded of the order in place that bars, discos, and casinos must remain closed during the national emergency.
In addition, Soto confirmed that more than 3,500 Health orders – mandatory 14-day quarantine – has been issued by immigration officials of Costa Ricans and legal residents entering the country in the last couple of days.
The Minister emphasized the severity of obeying the Health order, he said 3 people have so far been criminally charged for not complying.
UPDATED March 21: A total of 27 airlines have suspended service to and from the Juan Santamaria International airport – that is the San Jose airport (SJO) – in the face of the national emergency due to the coronavirus covid-19.
The suspension of flights was confirmed by AERIS, the San Jose airport manager and on the website of the airlines.
AIR TRANSAT: It will operate its last flight on March 22, leaving San Jose for Toronto and will suspend operations until further notice.
ALASKA: It will suspend operations from March 22 to April 12.
ALBATROS: Operations suspended until April 17. It will operate a ‘rescue’ flight on March 27.
AMERICAN AIRLINES: It will suspend operations on March 26 until the beginning of May (no specific date given)
AVIANCA: All international fights are suspended from March 23 to May 1. Avianca is based in Colombia* as that country is on lockdown.
BRITISH AIRWAYS: It will suspend operations from March 30 to June 27.
CONDOR: Operations suspended until April 16. There will be a ‘rescue’ flight on March 21 and 22.
COPA AIRLINES: Last flight is CM193, March 21 and the operations will be suspended until April 22.
DELTA: DL786 / 1396 will operate to March 28; DL900 / 903 to March 31; DL325 / DL902 to March 31; DL900 / DL903 will operate only on April 18 and 25; all flights are expected to resume starting on May 2.
EDELWEISS: It will operate flights on March 22, 24, 27 and 29.
IBERIA: It will suspend flights on March 25, 28, 29, 30 and 31. April dates are on will see.
INTERJET: It will reduce flights to only per day at noon until April 13.
UNITED AIRLINES: The last fight is on March 25 and the operations suspended until May 5
VOLARIS: All flights to El Salvador (SAL), Guatemala (GUA) and US destinations (LAX, JFK & KIAD) are suspended until mid-April. It will continue operations to Mexico.
WESTJET: Its last flight is March 21 until further notice.
WINGO: It suspended flights to and from Colombia* until April 30.
* Panama and Colombia have suspended all flights into and out of their countries starting at midnight March 22 for a period of 30 days.
The above is NOT a complete list and information is subject to change after publication.
Colombia will ban entering the country to everyone from abroad from midnight on Monday, including its own citizens, for a month, as the country struggles to enforce quarantine rules amid the accelerating coronavirus pandemic.
The image of a ghost city:Bogotá in its first hours of the mandatory isolation drill that will take place this weekend in the capital and in five more departments.
Earlier this week Colombia closed its land and water borders and limited entry through airports to citizens and legal residents.
“Until the weekend we will permit the entrance of Colombians coming from abroad and for a period of 30 days we will suspend the entrance of international travelers,” Duque said in a televised address.
Colombians and foreigner residents who want to enter the country have until this weekend to do so, the measure will be effective from midnight on Monday, March 23. After that, they will “initially” be locked out for the next 30 days.
Colombians living or traveling abroad have had a “wide window” to return home, Duque said, adding he was aware the measure would likely be unpopular.
Duque said the measure is necessary so that authorities are able to verify that recently-arrived travelers are complying with a 14-day obligatory quarantine. According to the Colombia immigration, more than 40 foreigners have been expelled for not respecting the mandatory isolation period.
Colombia has closed schools, bars and night clubs and has delayed the start of the legislative session in Congress.
On Tuesday the Duque administration ordered people aged 70 and over to stay home from Friday until the end of May, except for trips to purchase food, get medical care or complete financial transactions.
We have maintained the line that Colombians can come to our country, but we need to exercise pedagogy, which is why we are going to use the capacity of Migration Colombia and other authorities, including the health secretaries, to do the respective follow-up and guarantee that Colombians who have entered the country are complying with the compulsory isolation. President Ivan Duque
The government published a decree on Wednesday ordering local and municipal governments to coordinate mass isolation efforts after several regional leaders put in place curfews and other measures. The mayor of Bogota has urged citizens in the city of more than 10 million to participate in a weekend practice for potential future mass isolation.
So far Colombia has 108 confirmed cases of the coronavirus covid-19. No deaths have been reported.
Duque’s government has been criticized for not being clearer in publicizing the travelers’ quarantine, with some tourists taking to social media to say they were not made aware of the requirement when they landed.
“We won’t stop from taking any measure that will protect the health of our citizens,” Duque said in a speech broadcast from the presidential palace in Bogota.
Twitter said it will remove tweets that run the risk of causing harm by spreading dangerous misinformation about Covid-19. The social network had been criticized for weeks that its policies on misinformation were too lax.
Now, Twitter says, it will be applying a new broader definition of harm to address content that “goes directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information”.
According to Matt Derella and Vijaya Gadde, the heads of customer and legal, policy and trust and safety respectively, that means a whole range of content will now be removed that was previously allowed under the site’s rules, including:
Denial of health authority recommendations “with the intent to influence people into acting against recommended guidance”, like encouraging people not to socially distance themselves.
Description of treatments that are not immediately harmful but are known to be ineffective, even if made in jest, “such as ‘coronavirus is not heat-resistant – walking outside is enough to disinfect you” or “use aromatherapy and essential oils to prevent Covid-19.”
Description of harmful treatments such as “drinking bleach will cure Covid-19”.
Specific and unverified claims that incite people to action and cause widespread panic, such as: “The National Guard just announced that no more shipments of food will be arriving for 2 months – run to the grocery store ASAP and buy everything!”
Claims that specific groups or nationalities are never susceptible, or are more susceptible, to Covid-19.
False or misleading claims on how to differentiate between Covid-19 and a different disease, and if that information attempts to definitively diagnose someone, such as “if you have a wet cough, it’s not coronavirus – but a dry cough is” or “you’ll feel like you’re drowning in snot if you have coronavirus – it’s not a normal runny nose”.
Unlike Facebook, which encourages users to actively report misinformation, Twitter doesn’t offer that as option for user flagging. Users can still report such misinformation, however, and a spokesperson said that “if an account holder sees information on the service that is directly against guidance from authoritative sources of global and local public health information – report it to us and we will assess under our new expanded rule. Reports made under any of [the existing] categories will be assessed under the updated rule – regardless.”
Additionally, Gadde and Derella say, the company will be enforcing the new rules “in close coordination with trusted partners, including public health authorities and governments, and continue to use and consult with information from those sources when reviewing content.”
Twitter has long been loth to introduce policies against misinformation, historically describing itself as the “free speech wing of the free-speech party”. The company has no policies for flagging or removing false tweets, and in an update to its guidelines two weeks ago, only added extra rules to halt any attempt by advertisers to “opportunistically use the Covid-19 outbreak to target inappropriate ads”.
Instead, until now, the company has focused on providing accurate information to counter misinformation, partnering with the NHS to direct users to legitimate sources when they search for information.
Twitter’s decision to classify Covid-19 misinformation as harmful mirrors that of Facebook, which has long applied policies against “harmful misinformation” to justify removing content that advises against vaccination.
Speaking on Wednesday night, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg said: “Even in the most free expression-friendly jurisdictions like the US, you’ve long had the precedent that you don’t let people yell ‘fire’ in a crowded room, and I think that’s similar to people spreading dangerous misinformation in a situation like this.”
Two tourists with masks, in the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, closed from Tuesday.Antonio Lacerda / EFE
The llamas of Machu Picchu will be able to graze freely and without fear of selfies for at least 15 days. The coronavirus crisis has reached the heights of the busy Inca citadel, which this week has hung the closed sign.
The tranquility of animals is the fear of the sector.
The emergence of the pandemic on the continent has alerted the tourism industry in Latin America, where nervousness grows due to the wave of cancellations and millionaire losses shortly after Semana Santa (Easter Week) begins, when travelers fill beaches and museums and breathe life to a shaky regional economy.
The sector is sandwiched between two forces.
On the one hand, the measures adopted in Europe and the United States to restrict internal mobility and the consequent decrease in departures. On the other, the prohibitions imposed by a good number of Latin American countries to prevent tourist arrivals from certain hot spots.
In the south, Argentina, Colombia and Peru, three major markets, have already announced entry restrictions.
Two tourists with masks, in the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, closed from Tuesday. Photo Antonio Lacerda / EFE
Latin America, which closed 2019 with a minimum growth of 0.1%, has lost weight as a destination in recent years due to the emergence of Asia and the recovery of Europe. In 2018, it registered the entry of 114 million international tourists who left behind about US$97 billion dollars, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). South America grew just 1% in 2018 and the Caribbean fell 1%, compared to 7% in Asia and 5% in Europe. To this decline the coronavirus is now added.
Mexico, the main destination in Latin America and seventh in the world, is the one that can lose the most. In 2018, it received 41 million international travelers, 35% of the regional total, which left behind US$22 billion. The weight of the sector is considerable and represented 8.7% of GDP in 2018, the latest for which figures are available. In 2019, arrivals grew to 49 million, an increase of 9%, according to official figures.
These numbers give a dimension of the threat that hangs over the country’s already faltering economy, which fell 0.1% in 2019. The cost of the crisis will oscillate between 1% and 5% of tourism GDP and the flow of International travelers can reduce up to 10% if the number of contagion cases multiplies, according to a study by the Center for Tourism Research and Competitiveness of the Anahuac University, published on Friday and coordinated by the academic Francisco Madrid.
The closest past is the 2009 H1N1 epidemic, when international tourist arrivals in Mexico plummeted 53% in May compared to the same period of the previous year – the outbreak of the economic crisis worsened the situation. Francisco Madrid points to the differences with the current epidemic, mainly due to the role of social networks. “The enormous contagion capacity and the way the information flow is managed make it different,” he says.
Although the Mexican government has not yet considered drastic containment measures, the effects are already being felt. 30% of reservations for Easter have been canceled, according to the Confederation of National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Concanaco).
Mexico President, José Manuel López, points out that it may still get worse. “The impact may be even greater, because contact restrictions are also going to apply to compatriots,” he says. Aeroméxico reduced its flights to Spain on Monday to less than half. The cruise industry, which has grown rapidly in recent years, is one of the most vulnerable. The Princess Cruises company canceled five cruises that were to arrive on the island of Cozumel in the next month and a half.
The rest of the main tourist destinations in the region have chosen the path of restrictions. In Peru, which in 2018 received more than four million foreign visitors, the Government decreed the national emergency and, with it, the closure for 15 days of Machu Picchu, the jewel of the Andean country.
“We are staying with a minimum team, and the rest of the staff, to their quarantined home,” says the coordinator of the archaeological area, Miguel Zamora. Between tickets and transportation, the approximate loss per day, in a conservative estimate that does not take into account spending on restaurants and hotels, will be US$700,000.
Without Machu Picchu, the Cusco region, center of the Inca civilization and Peruvian tourism, has begun to gasp for lack of air. The president of the Association of Tourism Agencies of Cusco, Silvia Uscamayta, assures that 60% of the packages have been canceled.
“You feel a sea of cancellations for the entry ban on flights from Europe and Asia,” says Uscamayta. “We have been through the time of terrorism, cholera, but we have never had a blocking problem.”
Like Peru, Colombia has also closed entry to foreigners from all countries and suspended the transit and disembarkation of cruise ships. The upward trend in the sector, which generated 1.9 million jobs in 2019, has run into the epidemic. “Don’t cancel your dreams, put them off,” is the desperate mantra that companies promote to try to mitigate damage.
Losses between March 8 and 12 reach 45 billion pesos, about US$11 million dollars, according to the Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association (Cotelco). “The national hotel occupancy has contracted 2.3 percentage points. If the crisis lasts longer there could be a catastrophe. There are hotels that are thinking of closing or reducing the operation ”, explains Gustavo Toro, president of Cotelco.
Airlines are in the front row of those affected. Latam and Avianca announced a plan to decrease their capacity by 30-40% from Saturday.
In Argentina, the coronavirus will slow down the recovery of a sector badly hit by the economic crisis in which the country is immersed. The 32% tax on the purchase of dollars had put the sector on alert late last year. Travel agencies compensated it with local tourism and were waiting for the March sales to definitively stabilize the business. Everything has changed with the epidemic.
“We are not afraid, we are terrified,” sums up a Buenos Aires operator who prefers not to give his name and who is now making contingency plans to at least keep his business structure standing.
The travel agencies occupy their days attending to the claim of those who cannot travel due to air and immigration restrictions. “For international trips, nobody asks anymore and the national one has collapsed. What we ask customers is not to cancel, to postpone. Firm purchases for April and May are falling, because people do not know what will happen,” says the same operator.
The closure of national parks such as the Iguazú waterfalls and the Perito Moreno glacier predict that the months to come will still be difficult.
The expansion of the epidemic in Brazil, the country that contributes the most tourists to Argentina and that has tourist incomes worth 8.1% of GDP, is another open front. The Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear) reported this Monday a reduction of 30% in domestic flights and 50% in international travel compared to the same period last year.
The Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (Abav) paints an even bleaker picture. A partial balance of the entity points to a travel cancellation rate of 85% in March, projecting that the “greatest crisis experienced by the sector” will generate a high level of bankruptcy among companies.
Recovery uncertain
With the fall of international tourism, the industry begins to turn towards the domestic, the bulk of the business. In Mexico, 73% of the hotel capacity was occupied by national travelers in 2019 and the remaining 27%, international, according to government data.
The president of the Confederation of Tourist Associations of Latin America, businessman Armando Bojórquez, trusts that lifesaver. “National tourism is the one that has always saved the sector from crisis. There are going to be better rates and offers and that can incentivize it ”, he explains.
But that rebound in domestic tourism will be a question mark as restrictions extend into the interior of the country. Also, they don’t spend the same.
The spending of the international traveler in Mexico, of about US$1,000 on average, is twice that of nationals, according to Bojórquez himself.
The depreciation of local currencies against the dollar makes the region an attractive destination, although the extent of this advantage remains to be seen in the context of global health crisis.
The Mexican peso has lost 24% of its value in the last month and the Colombian peso, 34% in 10 days.
“It could have a competitive advantage but if they are not interested in traveling because it has other priorities, it may not matter,” says Francisco Madrid. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the average recovery time from an epidemic is 19 months.
Some governments have taken a step forward.
Colombia and Argentina have announced support packages for affected companies, including the opening of a line of credit. At the moment, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has ruled out rescue actions.
“We continue to have a tourist influx, there is still no relapse, perhaps there will be, but we are not going ahead,” he said Monday. A patience that contrasts with the claims of the sector. The Concanaco will shortly send a series of proposals to the Government, including the extension of the payment of taxes.
“It is necessary to activate strategies so that the recovery occurs as quickly as possible,” says its president, José Manuel López. “It is going to be a year with very bad numbers.”
El Salvador will take steps to limit the economic impact for people and businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including suspending charges for some services, the government said on Wednesday.
A woman carries rolls of toilet paper this Friday in San Salvador, El Salvador
Despite the best efforts of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to prevent the covid-19 from entering the country, such as closing its borders to a near lockdown, El Salvador on Thursday reported its first confirmed case.
Finance Minister Nelson Fuentes told a news conference the measures would only apply to people or businesses affected by the pandemic, which has pummeled financial markets and upended life around the globe.
For a three-month period, the affected will be exempt from payments for electricity, water, mortgages and personal loans, credit cards, telephones, cable and internet, among other services, Fuentes said.
Once the three months are up, payment of the charges accrued will be spread over two years, without risk of default or damage to creditworthiness. Nor will they face interest charges.
The economic impact of the coronavirus covid-19 is just beginning, as businesses, big and small begin to evaluate the economies in the face of actions of the government to prevent the spread of the contagion and the population facing uncertainty.
Perhaps the hardest hit will be the tourism sector, one of the main engines of the country’s economy, which according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica, accounts for almost 9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates around 13% of direct and indirect employment.
According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCCH), up to Wednesday, March 18, some 70,000 room nights had been canceled. on Thursday, the Hyatt announced the temporary closure of the Andaz Costa Rica, located in the Gulf of Papagayo, in the province of Guanacaste.
Other sectors are looking for ways to weather the storm. A total of 117 companies operating in Costa Rica have already submitted requests to the Ministry of Labor (MTSS) for temporary suspension of employment contracts for 5,105 employees, due to the negative impact of the new coronavirus on their economic activities.
The group represents companies in the commerce sector, services, agriculture, industry, transport, and construction. Most companies are in San José, Cartago, Heredia and Guanacaste.
The temporary suspension of contracts is a figure established in the Labor Code that allows employers to stop operations in companies in the face of crisis situations such as that experienced by the spread of covid-19.
While some businesses will close, perhaps never to re-open, others are looking at cutting costs. One of those is working hours.
Several businesses confirmed to the Q that starting Monday, March 23, and until further notice, will be their business day early, some opening later than usual.
The decreases in income will be compared in relation to the same month of the previous year. In the case of companies with less than a year, they must demonstrate the reduction compared to the average of the last three months prior to the declaration of national emergency.
The reduction in hours would reduce the salary of employees in the same proportion as the decrease in their working hours, but would keep them employed by the company and with an income while the state of emergency persists.
The initiative had the unanimous support of 47 legislators. The bill is expected to be presented for second and final reading and voting with the coming days, and if approved, land on President Carlo Alvarado’s desk for his signing into law.
For its part, the government has been working on a stimulus package that includes the state banks (Banco de Costa Rica and Banco Nacional) to cut interest rates, while urging private banks to do the same.
A series of tax cuts that include a three months of respite for partial payments of taxes on profits, Value Added Tax (VAT) and the nationalization of merchandise, all in order to reduce the blow.
It is an extension that will apply in April, May and June, and could be extended only once more by the President of the Republic, to then include July 2020.
In addition, the government announced that it proposes to allocate ¢1 trillion colones to address the economic effects of the covid-19 pandemic. The figure is equivalent to 3% of GDP and is intended to protect jobs and companies from going under.
The government is pulling the strings on several autonomous institutions like the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), pulling money from surpluses from 11 public institutions to pay public debt, from savings generated by the luxury pension reform approved by Congress in 2019. and borrowing money from the Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF), that had previously approved a US$500 million dollar (¢280 billion colones) loan and ¢216 billion colones from the Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID)-Agencia Francesa de Desarrollo (AFD).
This is achieved with a draft bill – Ley Alivio Fiscal ante el COVID-19, approved in the first debate by the Legislative Assembly, based on “a health crisis that has the potential to become an economic crisis”.
All this throws a monkey wrench into the Central Bank’s plan to reduce a deficit reached 7% of the GDP in 2019 to 5.9% for this year.
“We are taking some risk, but it was necessary to throw a life preserver at the businesses,” noted Fernando Rodríguez, former Deputy Minister of Revenue of the Treasury (Ministry of Finance).
Rodríguez explained to El Financiero, with respect to the VAT, consumers will continue to pay the 13% tax on their purchases, but the tax collector, the companies, will keep for the period it to attend payments for their operation and avoid layoffs or business closings.
Government obligations are not dissipated, so it will have to look for other sources of funding, beyond taxes.
The crisis the world is facing due to the COVID-19 also affects Costa Rica, and uncertainty will prevail until we know what the real impact of this new virus will be.
Meanwhile, it appears that the government is left with nothing but urgent action to support the finances of individuals and businesses, even at the cost of its own financial results.
The Hyatt Andaz Costa Rica Resort hotel, located in the Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste, will temporarily close its facilities from Friday, March 26 and will resume operations on June 30.
The Marketing and Communication management of the company confirmed the news, saying the decision involves the dismissal of nine employees with full benefits and the termination of contracts with 100 high season workers. This hotel employs between 200 and 350 people depending on the season of the year.
Hyatt also owns in Costa Rica the Hyatt Place hotel, located in Pinares, Curridabat, which will remain open for now.
“During this time, Andaz Costa Rica Resort will not accept new reservations and will temporarily suspend services, including spa, gym, and food and beverage operations,” the firm said in a statement. He added that his plan is to rehire the 100 laid off when they restart operations.
They also reported that people with pending reservations for the next few weeks can contact gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com.
At 11:59 pm Wednesday, March 18 and until April 12, Costa Rica will not allow the entry of foreigners, only Costa Rican nationals and legal residents can enter with the objective to protect the population from contagion and spread of the covid-19.
According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels, until this Wednesday some 70,000 room nights had been canceled.
The Ministry of Health announced on Thursday night the second death by covid-19 in the country: an 87-year-old man, who had been interned at the San Rafael de Alajuela hospital.
The Ministry of Health reiterates the risk that older adults face before COVID-19 and insists on the protection of this vulnerable group.
The patient, in addition to his age, had a history of vascular origin (sic), had been diagnosed with the covid-19 on March 13.
This is the second death in the country, two men of the same age.
On Wednesday the first death by covid-19 was an 87-year-old pediatrician from Alajuela. He also died in the San Rafael de Alajuela hospital.
On Thursday, the number of infected reached 89, that is, 20 more than on Wednesday.
Daniel Salas, Minister of Health, said 81 Costa Ricans and 8 foreigners. Of these patients, there are five hospitalized, two of whom are in intensive care.
The Ministry of Health has identified at least six clusters or sources of contagion, however, the epidemiological link of six cases remains to be determined.
951 people with respiratory disease have been ruled out. So far, no community transmission has been detected, that is, sustained and frequent transmission in the same community
Minister Salas, at the center, detailed the first case of the new coronavirus in Costa Rica at a press conference at the Ministry of Health on Friday. Next to him, appear the Minister of Education, Giselle Cruz, and the President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado. Behind them also Estefanía Carvajal, translator of lesco language. Photography: Jeffrey Zamora
The representative of the United Nations (UN) in Costa Rica recognized the “exceptional and innovative” way in which the country has responded to the covid-19 pandemic.
“Under the leadership of the President (Carlos Alvarado), the Minister of Health (Daniel Salas), the Emergency Operation Center (COE) and all related institutions are truly developing an inter-institutional response and an exemplary articulated response,” said Alice Shackelford, UN coordinator in the country.
Shackelford highlighted, for example, the fact that the National Liquor Factory (Fanal) is producing alcohol in gel, instead of Guaro Cacique, to supply demand and that Correos de Costa Rica is giving facilities to distribute this product to the population, La Nacion reported.
Secuirty Minister Michael Soto is a "hands on" guy as he is seen in this archive photo during a police mega-operation
Public Security Minister Michael Soto assured that they have had multiple reports of clandestine bars operating due to the closure of bars and discos as part of the government’s action plan against the affectation by COVID-19.
Security Minister Michael Soto (white shirt) is a “hands-on” kind of guy as he is seen in this archive photo during a police mega-operation
Soto said that the Fuerza Publica (national police) will also go to shut down these places, since they have already identified them, as they generate a great risk to the population.
“We are receiving a lot of information on the operation of clandestine bars, which already have a propensity to exist, however, as a result of the decree of the President and the Ministry of Health,” said the Minister.
The minister made reiterated the call for the population to obey the order to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus, due to this, they will have mega-operations (roadblocks) on public roads to ensure that people comply with prevention measures.
A man with the last name López was already arrested in Puntarenas for “flagrante delicto” for refusing to close his bar despite having been notified of a health order.
According to the Police Force Legal Support Department, the person arrested was summoned for April 13 to appear in Court.
In the actions carried out by the Fuerza Publica (National Police) throughout the country, 409 premises closed and 491 notifications handed out.
“Let’s be smarter. Let’s not wait until death comes so close to act.” Those were the forceful and clear words of the Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, during the Thursday afternoon press conference, especially directed to those at risk, to stay at home to avoid contagion.
Health Minister Daniel Salas at the podium, while Security minister Micheal Soto and first vice-president Epsy Campbell (front row) and immigration director Raquel Vargas (back row) listen in.
He explained that this week will be key in terms of the increase and lethality of future cases of the coronavirus covid-19, therefore, he insisted on the continued practice of handwashing and other hygiene measures are more important.
Staying at home is key. Salas emphasized that “now is the time to act” and not wait for someone close to get sick or dies to “take this seriously”.
The minister, who is a specialist in epidemiology, said that it is not “worth” having to come to the stage of deciding who should have a ventilator and who should not; referring to the number of infected people who may need to be admitted to an Intensive Care Unit.
Costa Ricans and nationals arriving at the airports, land crossings and seaports must provide their address and telephone number and are issued a health order to 14-day mandatory quarantine
Costa Rica’s Minister of Health, Daniel Salas, reported this Thursday afternoon the number of covid-19 confirmed cases increased to 89, 20 more than 24 hours earlier, now in 6 of the 7 provinces. Puntarenas the only province not reported a case.
Costa Ricans and nationals arriving at the airports, land crossings and seaports must provide their address and telephone number and are issued a health order to 14-day mandatory quarantine
New measures announced this Thursday to prevent the spread of the virus include the closing of all theaters and cinemas on the weekend, while shopping malls limited to 50% capacity.
Salas explained 81 of the infected are Costa Ricans and 8 are foreigners; of which 5 are hospitalized, two are in intensive care.
The age range of the infected is from 2 to 87 years of age. The two-year-old is at home and showing no complications.
The Health Minister reiterated his call for people to stay home, a lower tone than the scolding tone of Wednesday.
“What we do in the coming days is decisive. We hope not to get to that stage where we have to decide who we have to put a respirator on. This virus is easily transmitted, do not go to public places and if you go do not touch your face, wash your hands, do not shake hands and kiss, they are measures that will save lives (…) ,” Salas warned once again t.
He explained that the greatest danger would be reaching a time when even the intensive care unit staff is insufficient to care for the sick.
When asked about the consideration of applying a curfew measure, Salas clarified that this would be considered only as an “extremely extreme” measure and we are not there yet.
On this issue of a curfew, Security Minister, Michael Soto, said that if such measures were to be applied, there would be exceptions such as security personnel and even journalists.
“The curfew is a scenario that we are not considering, we have reviewed what implications it would have, people who circulate would have to stop (arrest) them and we have nowhere to put them, we cannot put them together,” he said.
First vice president Epsy Campbell spoke about the closing of the borders, in particular the northern border with Nicaragua, and the upcoming high travel period between the two countries, when Nicaraguans head home for Semana Santa (Easter Holidays), the second busiest travel period of the year.
“We are recommending to Nicaraguans not to travel to their country … we have control of what happens in the country but not outside our borders,” said Campbell.
Campbell assured that a strategy in place to protect the blind spots and reinforce security at the border, where up to 3,000 people cross illegally every day.
As of midnight Wednesday, the borders – land, sea and air – are closed to all foreigners, only Costa Rican nationals and legal residents can enter the country, that must submit to a 14-day mandatory quarantine.
In the first hours alone, 327 health orders were issued at all border posts for 310 Costa Ricans and 17 residents. They came on seven flights and two cruise ships.
In case of non-compliance, they are exposed to fines or other penalties.
“There are Costa Ricans who do take the resolution seriously and others just file it away. It is a mandatory health order, it is important that you read it. The person must stay at home 14 days, it is mandatory for everyone’s health, it is important to follow the guidelines, I call on everyone. The Immigration Police works 24/7 to make this happen,” said Raquel Vargas, director of immigration, whose officials are responsible to deliver the order and take the information such as address and telephone number.
Michael Soto, Minister of Security, reiterated the obligation of all citizens to remain in their homes.
The Minister did not hide his annoyance because they still have reports of concentrations of people on the beaches and open bars, as was the case of a clandestine bar in Puntarenas.
“A manager of a bar was notified of the health order, the next day we visited and it was open, he was arrested, but now he is free, criminal charges were filed,” he said.
(OCED) Costa Rica recently strengthened its anti-bribery laws by introducing corporate criminal liability. Despite this achievement, loopholes in the definition of the foreign bribery offence and its enforcement raise significant concerns, according to a new report by the OECD Working Group on Bribery.
The 44-country Working Group has just completed its Phase 2 evaluation of Costa Rica’s implementation of the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, and related instruments.
Costa Rica’s foreign bribery offense does not address some of the most common means of committing this crime. The offense’s onerous intent requirement could leave most cases of foreign bribery committed through intermediaries unpunished. A briber may escape liability if a foreign official solicited the bribe. Foreign bribery enforcement has not received sufficient resources and priority.
The Public Prosecution Service and the Attorney General’s Office are both involved in foreign bribery enforcement, which may duplicate efforts and jeopardize cases. Costa Rica also needs to ensure that factors such as national economic interests do not influence the sanctioning of foreign bribery cases. It should also improve guidance and transparency for non-trial resolutions and collaboration agreements.
The Group made further recommendations to improve Costa Rica’s fight against foreign bribery, including:
Fully use all available sources to detect foreign bribery, including the media and reporting by public officials;
Explicitly deny the tax deduction of all bribes, not only those that facilitate or expedite a transaction;
Improve its extradition regime, and where appropriate prosecute offenders who are not extradited;
Adopt comprehensive legislation to protect whistleblowers from retaliation; and
Encourage companies to adopt anti-corruption compliance programmes.
The report also highlights positive aspects of Costa Rica’s efforts to fight foreign bribery. Recent legislation on corporate liability comprehensively addresses issues such as the standard of liability, sanctions and procedure. Costa Rica commendably enacted a new false accounting offence; it now needs to ensure that the offence applies to all legal persons, including state-owned enterprises. The available sanctions against natural and legal persons (apart from small- and medium-sized enterprises) have increased. The provision of mutual legal assistance to foreign countries has largely been prompt and effective.
The OECD Working Group on Bribery adopted the report on 11 March 2020, including recommendations made to Costa Rica on pages [76-83]. In accordance with standard procedures, Costa Rica will report to the Working Group orally in March 2021 on steps taken to implement key recommendations, and in writing in March 2022 on its implementation of all recommendations and its foreign bribery enforcement actions. This written report will be publicly available.
Working with over 100 countries, the OECD is a global policy forum that promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
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Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen aren’t letting coronavirus stop their beach vacation in Costa Rica.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen take a walk on the beach in Costa Rica. (Backgrid )
Brady, 42, and his model wife, 39, donning a teeny-tiny navy bikini, were snapped enjoying the sun and water as they walking along the beach.
Bundchen revealed in a previous Instagram Story Q&A that she will support her husband no matter what he decides to do, as their future is up in the air since Brady hasn’t committed to a football team yet.
“I would love to know where I’m going to be living this year, but I don’t know that yet,” Bundchen admitted. “But hopefully somewhere nice. And [wherever] my husband is happy playing. So we will see.”
Gisele Bundchen in Costa Rica on March 11, 2020
“In both life and football, failure is inevitable. You don’t always win. You can, however, learn from that failure, pick yourself up with great enthusiasm, and place yourself in the arena again,” he said on Instagram. “And that’s right where you will find me. Because I know I still have more to prove.,” said Brady who is reportedly meeting with various teams and coaches but hinted back in January that he doesn’t want to leave the New England Patriots.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen in Costa Rica on March 11, 2020
On the coronavirus, Extratv.com reported Gisele emphasized, “Even if you are young and healthy, we all need to follow the recommended protocols and precautions because in doing so we can end up saving someone’s life – particularly the elderly and those who are sick and immunocompromised.”
The upscale chain of supermarkets in Costa Rica announced new hours in the face of the coronavirus covid-19, including exclusive shopping hours for seniors.
Senior only hours at the Automercado are between 7 am and 9 am
Typically Automercado stores open at 7:00 am and closed by 10:00 pm.
Now, the first two hours of the day, that is from 7:00 am to 9:00 am, is reserved for seniors and one person accompanying them, if necessary.
From 9:00 am to 8:00 pm the store will be open to all customers.
The supermarket chain is also practicing social distancing, limiting the number of customers in stores. Staff is now monitoring the front door, manually opening and closing doors for customers to enter and exit. If the supermarket reaches 50% capacity, it will close its doors waiting for the number of people inside to drop.
The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed the first case of coronavirus (Covid-19) in Nicaragua on Wednesday night. This is a 40-year-old man who contracted the virus in Panama and “there he was infected and presented symptoms. The test was done and is being attended to,” said vice president, Rosario Murillo on the national network, assuring that the person is stable.
“This is a 40-year-old brother (Nicaraguan) who traveled to Panama between the 13th and 14th of this month, and who returned to our country on the 15th, that is, on Sunday, by air,” added Murillo.
The VP did not give any details of any other suspected Covid-19 cases in the country.
Murillo assured that all people who had contact with the patient will be tested.
“Anyone who has had contact with him, anyone in his family who has symptoms, will immediately proceed to be tested,” said Murillo.
The man reportedly started presenting symptoms “on March 17, with fever, sore throat and dry cough,” Murillo said.
Murillo, who did not specify in which hospital the man is being treated, clarified that this first contagion is an imported case.
Murillo also reported that the Ministry of Health (Minsa), starting this Thursday, March 19, report mornings and afternoons “what we are finding (of the Covid-19.). We will be communicating at all times,” said Murillo.
Prepared
Authorities throughout the health system have repeatedly assured that they are prepared to care for people with symptoms of the coronavirus covid-19. However, they have not restricted the arrival of travelers from countries with coronavirus cases and unless they present symptoms there will not be any type of quarantine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the spread of the coronavirus as a pandemic on Wednesday, March 11. From then on, authorities in most countries worldwide chose to close their borders to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.
However, in Nicaragua, authorities refused to close the main routes of entry into the country and, instead, stated that “if there are cases with respiratory symptoms and an epidemiological link, that person, or persons, will be admitted to a health (center) for your study and follow-up ”.
Take care of things
Despite the non-serious attitude of the administration towards the covid-19 and possible cases, Nicaraguans took it upon themselves to be prepared, buying masks as recommended by the WHO and other products to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, to the point that in the pharmacies of Managua they were out of stock on masks.
The Walmart chain with brand supermarkets such as Walmart, La Union, Maxi Pali and Pali have begun to limit the purchase of disinfectant products in the face of the threat of the coronavirus in Nicaragua, including alcohol gel, antibacterial soap and mouth covers. Limits are three items per person.
Coronavirus Covid-19 in Central America (March 18, 2020):
In Argentina, the coronavirus will slow down the recovery of a sector badly hit by the economic crisis in which the country is immersed. The 32% tax on the purchase of dollars had put the sector on alert late last year. Travel agencies compensated it with local tourism and were waiting for the March sales to definitively stabilize the business. Everything has changed with the epidemic.
