[News Boquete] US Embassy Alert - Suspension of Commercial & Charter Flights

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama (March 26, 2020)

Nationwide Suspension of Domestic Commercial and Charter Flights

On March 26, Panama announced the nationwide suspension of commercial passenger and domestic charter flights, in addition to the March 22 ban on international commercial passenger flights. There are exceptions for cargo, humanitarian, medical supplies, medical evacuation, and vaccines.

The Embassy is working on evacuation options via commercial humanitarian and military flights for those U.S. Citizens wishing to depart Panama. Please express your interest in consideration for potential evacuation flights by emailing: PanamaCityUSCitizen@state.gov.

Availability will be based upon first-come first-served basis and will require a financial commitment in the form of a repatriation loan from the State Department calculated on one-way fare to the destination of the aircraft, which is NOT negotiable.

On March 25, Panama enacted nationwide movement restrictions, also being referred to as quarantine. The movement restrictions will include regular windows of time for people to conduct essential activities, such as grocery shopping, getting gas and medicines, or dealing with a medical emergency, based on the last digit of their cedula number or passport if an individual does not have a cedula.  For U.S. Citizens in Panama without a cedula, they should carry their passports at all times. The two-hour windows are as follows:

· Last number is 7 – 6:30 – 8:30am

· Last number is 8 – 7:30 – 9:30am

· Last number is 9 – 8:30 – 10:30am

· Last number is 0 – 9:30 – 11:30am 

· Last number is 1 – 12:30 – 2:30pm 

· Last number is 2 – 1:30 – 3:30pm 

· Last number is 3 – 2:30 – 4:30pm 

· Last number is 4 – 3:30 – 5:30pm 

· Last number is 5 – 4:30 – 6:30pm 

· Last number is 6 – 5:30 – 7:30pm 

There is a special window for those over 60 years old, regardless of cedula or passport numbers, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. 

Even with these time allowances, during the nationwide movement restrictions the Embassy encourages everyone to prepare accordingly.  Take the opportunity to stock up on any medicines and food supplies you may need to shelter in place in your homes for an extended period of time.

Actions to Take: 

Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.

For the most recent information on what you can do to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, please see the CDC's latest recommendations.

Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Visit our Embassy webpage on COVID-19for information on conditions in Panama.

Visit the Department of Homeland Security's website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.

Assistance:  

U.S. Embassy Panama City, Panama

Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue

Clayton, Panama

+507 317-5000

Panama-ACS@state.gov

https://pa.usembassy.gov/ 

State Department – Consular Affairs

+1 (888)407-4747 or +1 (202)501-4444 

Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.

-- Denese A. Rodgers

+507 6456-8539

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