[News Boquete] Panama Government Announces Another Early Closure of Public Offices Tuesday Due to a Panama World Cup 2026 Game

REPRINTED FROM NEWSROOM PANAMA

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, signed Executive Decree No. 20 of June 22, 2026, ordering the closure of national and municipal public offices throughout the country starting at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd, due to the second match of the Panama National Team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  The measure seeks to allow officials to support the Panamanian team, which will face Croatia at Toronto Stadium in Canada, in its first match of the World Cup.  According to the decree, public institutions must operate continuously during their regular hours until 2:00 pm, at which time the closure of state and municipal offices will take effect. Furthermore, entities are prohibited from establishing schedules different from those stipulated in the decree. 

In the preamble of the document, the Executive highlights that, while the players prepare to give their best on the field, the Panamanian fans are also organizing to enthusiastically and passionately support the National Team, and therefore considers it appropriate to establish a special schedule for officials.  However, the decree establishes exceptions for those entities that, due to the nature of the services they provide, must remain operational. These include hospitals, clinics, polyclinics, and health centers of the Social Security Fund and the Ministry of Health; the National Water and Sewerage Institute (IDAAN); the Panama Fire Department; the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC); the National Police and other security agencies; the Panama Metro; MiBus; the National Migration Service; Tocumen International Airport; the National Customs Authority ; as well as other entities linked to essential services and international trade. 

The document also notes that banking institutions will be governed by the special regulations issued by the Superintendency of Banks of Panama, while the Panama Canal Authority is excluded from the application of the measure, in accordance with its legal regime.  Additionally, the decree provides for the suspension of deadlines in administrative procedures during the established workday, and will come into effect from the moment of its promulgation.  With this decision, the Government joins the atmosphere of expectation that the country is experiencing for Panama’s second participation in a World Cup, an event that has sparked the enthusiasm of thousands of fans inside and outside the national territory.

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