No Costa Rican official has dared to say it as clear as this, but the total of security provisions make it possible to make a direct recommendation for the afternoon of May 3rd, when President Barack Obama arrives: It is better to think that General Canas Highway and downtown San Jose do not exist.
Maybe the only one who has stated it clearly has been Counselor-Minister Eric Nelson, from the US Embassy in San Jose, who suggested following President Obama’s visit on television or on Twitter, far from the capital city.
There is a reason why the Government decreed a day off for public workers in San Jose and six other cantons. Public employees will not need to mix themselves with hundreds of police officers. And workers in the private sector may not either, if their bosses realize the obstacles to move through San Jose.
The highway between Juan Santamaria Airport and San Jose will have sudden closes of almost one hour starting at noon, which will force drivers to turn off the car and make believe there is work on the road, as Traffic Police Assistant Director Huanelgue Gutierrez suggested.
This is so because of the transit of President Obama’s caravan and those of six other Central American heads of state.
Only for President Obama, the measure of cancelling the flight of other planes in the Costa Rican air space 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after Air Force 1 lands will be enforced. Tobias Bolanos Airport will be closed for 25 hours starting at noon on May 3rd.
Downtown San Jose, streets will also be temporarily closed. Also, access to the places of the meetings will be denied, except to residents or workers who have been registered in advance.
According to Minister of Security Mario Zamora, the measures are the “minimum necessary” for this “civic festivity”.
Para el ministro de Seguridad, Mario Zamora, las disposiciones son las “mínimas necesarias” para esta “fiesta cívica”.